Chris Lee - Green in Grey (2024)

Chris Lee, a stalwart of the Portland jazz scene, offers a sonic meditation on his home with Green in Grey. The album, a collaboration with a who’s who of the city's jazz elite – Dan Balmer (guitar), Greg Goebel (piano), Dave Captein (bass), Thomas Barber (trumpet), and John Nastos (woodwinds) – is a work that captures the essence of the Pacific Northwest with verdant, atmospheric sections, as well as dense, complex compositions.

The album’s title is a perfect encapsulation of the music. It’s a record that suggests a world both lush and veiled, where the vibrant energy of life coexists with a certain muted melancholy. Lee’s drumming, as always, is the album’s backbone, providing a steady, propulsive force while also allowing ample space for his colleagues to shine. Virtuosity abounds throughout the album, each improviser fleetly navigating the original compositions with ease.

Green in Grey at times is a deeply felt exploration of atmosphere and mood. Other times, compositions have intricate rhythmic hits and dense chord changes. On some tunes, it’s music that invites introspection, that encourages listeners to lose themselves in the soundscape. On others, it keeps the listener on their toes. In a world increasingly dominated by noise and distraction, Green in Grey is a welcome retreat.

Chris Lee - drums
John Nastos - flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax
Thomas Barber - trumpet
Dan Balmer - guitar
Greg Goebel - piano
Dave Captein - bass