Ben Markley - Our Walk: Live at Nocturne (2024)

For two uninterrupted months, Markley – accompanied by his steadfast ensemble – was the house musician at Nocturne. This time was marked by constant growth as Markley and his ensemble night after night fine tuned, edited, and took spontaneous creative risks. The recurring performance opportunity acted as an incubator for ideas to grow and a forge for those same ideas to be refined into ever purer concentrations of excellence. Our Walk: Live at Nocturne, Markley’s newest album of all original compositions, is a live document without overdubs or studio edits of the conclusion of his band’s stay at Nocturne. It is a celebration of collaboration and companionship, and an homage to the timeless power of live performance.

As Markley and Mattson first began talking about the idea of an extended residency, the question arose of what should be done to make this period distinct. The answer, as given by the pair, was found in the music. The compositions present on Our Walk were all newly created to premiere at Markley’s residency. Furthermore, not only were the compositions new, but they signaled a new direction of style and writing for the pianist. “I wanted to write some compositions that were different from what I’ve done in the past – different grooves, melodic phrases, and esthetics,” Markley says. “These are sounds that I like but haven’t explored as much, and this album was a chance to do that.”

With a game plan firmly established, a date set for the residency, and a recording session at the club planned, all that remained was for Markley to write the pieces. Like many of history’s inspired writers, Markley’s ideation began with a muse. While muses have taken form in a myriad of ways throughout the ages, Markley’s muse is that of the truest kind: his wife. Married twenty-one years, Markley lovingly remarks, “She is and has been a constant source of inspiration from the day we met.”

Two of the album’s pieces in particular, Her Strength and Beauty and Our Walk, are specifically dedicated to and inspired by Markley’s wife. Her Strength and Beauty combines the straight eighth groove with a driving rock beat and comes to a head with a poignant solo by guitarist Steve Kovalcheck followed by the bandleader’s improvised piano feature. In his performance, Kovalcheck masterfully blends lyricism with his personal love for and knowledge of rock music. Markley’s piano solo is an exercise in pacing that never lets up once it begins. Starting with delicate, intentional melodies and building through swift double-time times, the solo culminates with robust octaves. As Markley aptly states of this track, “There is definitely some shredding.” The second dedication to Markley’s wife, “Our Walk”, stands as the album’s title track, further symbolizing her role as the genesis of Markley’s creativity throughout this process. The piece itself is a musical journey, and its trailblazers are undoubtedly Kovalcheck, Markley, and the album’s saxophonist, Wil Swindler, as epitomized by their masterful solos. “This tune is a ride, and Swindler takes the listeners along with him,” Markley says.

In a live album, a band’s chemistry and performance are highlighted to the listener above almost every other element. With no studio touch-ups to hide behind, musicians are forced to step up and test their mettle. Markley’s ensemble fearlessly met this challenge head-on and came out the other side with an outright success. The ensemble on Our Walk comprises Steve Kovalcheck (guitar), Wil Swindler (alto saxophone), Domi Edson (bass; tracks 1-5), Matt Smiley (bass; tracks 6,7), Andy Wheelock (drum set), and the bandleader, Ben Markley (piano). Of these musicians, Markley speaks his praise and gratitude. “Steve Kovalcheck and Wil Swindler are two of my dearest friends,” he says. “They are among the best anywhere and I’m very happy to have this documented with them.” He continues, noting the dedication of each member. “I’d like to thank Andy Wheelock, Domi Edson, and Matt Smiley for learning my music and taking care of each note. The collective work of this group and product we created is something I’m proud to share.”

Our Walk represents more than a recording session; it is the sonic testament to the artistry that occurs when relationship, collaboration, and inspiration intersect. This album marks not only a time and place, but a history of interpersonal connections that grew, flourished, and bloomed into a prismatic display of sound and meaning, all underpinned by groove and mastery and held together by the bandleader’s illustrious hands.