BEING HUMAN
On her latest release, pianist Lynne Arriale and her trio mates address a troubled, divided world with an exquisite suite of optimistic, deeply felt compositions.
Being Human, pianist-composer Lynne Arriale's 17th album as a leader, is her fourth for Challenge Records International. Being Human, a suite of 10 original compositions, celebrates the ways that our lives are enriched by acts of passion, courage, conviction, love, persistence, heart, soul, curiosity, faith and joy. Featuring bassist Alon Near and drummer Lukasz Zyta, the album explores life-affirming facets of humankind. Many of the songs are dedicated to people who’ve inspired Arriale, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman and Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai.
“I wrote this suite in response to the division and turmoil in our world,” Arriale says. “The music focuses on qualities we all share, that define our humanity. I hope this album will be uplifting and convey a sense of unity and optimism. The dedications reflect my admiration for those who I feel personify the traits that inspired the music.”
PRESS:
★★★★ Downbeat
★★★★ BBC Magazine
★★★★ All About Jazz
★★★★ Jazzwise
★★★★ Marlbank, UK
“Her technical brilliance on the instrument is remarkable… Arriale has evolved into a master trio leader.”KultKomplott
“... amazing piano talent and versatility… she invites us into her music. It’s like falling down a rabbit hole and discovering awesome and unexpected gifts along the way.”
Musicalmemoirs’s Blog
“[Arriale] has released a series of remarkable recordings highlighting and celebrating individual and collective responses to world events.”
Jazz Journal
“In a sense the deeply meditative music with their one-word titles makes these glorious miniatures seem like vortices of emotion… For this is music that is born of body and soul…an album with so many heart-on-the sleeve moments that you will find yourself catching your breath in absolute awe of Arriale’s introspective artistry…an artist of the first order... we have an album to absolutely die for.”
That Canadian Magazine
“Here we have three artists in complete harmony, utilizing all their skills and extensive knowledge of classical music to bring us highly harmonized arrangements, remarkable for their poetic imprint… The quality of her compositions, the melodic and acute sound, the perfect mastery of the trio format, and the remarkable musicians who have gone above and beyond to deliver their best—madness it would be to overlook this album…
This proves that Lynne Arriale is one of the great composers of today. She also knows how to perfectly blend tradition and modernity within the same album, and this is the ultimate proof… Undoubtedly, we have one of the great albums of 2024 here.”
Paris Move
“... an optimistic and deeply felt suite of ten original compositions... virtuosic performances”
JAZZIZ
“Easily the most outstanding album we have heard recently…”
Marlbank, UK
“Her lyrical speech is recognizable by the poetry that runs through it. It is certainly a unique voice in the world of jazz piano… This record conceals a deep coherence in which is inserted a beauty always nourished by an unvarnished authenticity.”
CultureJazz
“They are indeed small jewels… aura of almost mystical hopefulness. An exceptional interpretative skill that paints the portrait of a complete artist.”
Corriere del Ticino
“Arriale’s seventeenth artistic statement serves as a channel towards our hopes, dreams, thoughts, prayers and shared best wishes for a better world… Being Human sheds a warm light on the range of the pianist’s myriad powers….vividly emotional lyricism”
Le Strade del Jazz
“The pianist-composer has proven herself among the most socially and politically engaged jazz musicians working today. She mines in an affirmative jazz without lyrics but so full of spirit and both refined and rough-hewn musical gemstones gritted with shards of life to appreciate and feel. You can’t help but sense how far Arriale travels musically to discover the width and depth of human determination and courage in a world ever ready in defiance.”
Kevernacular
“... enrapturing musical conversation”
Shepherd Express
“Being Human is the remarkable pianist/composer Lynne Arriale’s 17th album as a leader, and her hard-won experience is on full display here… a rare jazz artist… every track is a highlight”
CD HotList
“Being Human is Arriale's Dickinson-like message to the world, one designed to encourage us to embrace optimism and hope over despair and resignation.
Textura
In recent years, Lynne’s compositions and albums have reflected current social issues. Chimes of Freedom (2020) highlights the worldwide immigration crisis and the experiences of refugees who risk everything to find a better life for themselves and their families. The Lights Are Always On (2022) examines the life-changing events wrought by COVID-19. Some compositions are named in honor of heroes, including those who served as caregivers on the front lines of the pandemic and those who defended American democracy. In Being Human, Arriale affirms the need for love, hope and unity in a world torn by the negative effects of political and cultural polarization. It is a musical inspiration to fully appreciate the incredible potential in each of us, and to best express what it means to be human.
On this session Lynne is joined by bassist Alon Near and drummer Lukasz Zyta, both outstanding, in-demand musicians on the international jazz scene. The trio creates the sort of engrossing musical conversation that has become a trademark of Lynne’s groups.
Renowned pianist and composer Richie Beirach characterizes Being Human as “an important, stunningly beautiful, powerful musical and spiritual statement from Lynne Arriale.” Continuing on, Beirach says, ”Her compositions are masterpieces that reveal the pain, love, joy, suffering and triumphs of extraordinary individuals. Lynne is so much more than a jazz pianist. She, like the heroes she celebrates, exudes the wonderful essence of humanity. I don't know anyone more empathetic, big-hearted or generous of spirit.”
LYNNE ARRIALE
Being recognized as “one of the most exciting pianists in contemporary jazz,”(The Guardian, UK) pianist Lynne Arriale has performed on the most prestigious international concert stages over the past 30 years. Jazz Police called her “the poet laureate of her generation.” JazzTimes said of her, “Lynne Arriale’s music lies at the synaptic intersection where brain meets heart, where body meets soul. She is one of jazzdom’s most intensely unique voices.” She has been consistently praised as having a “singular voice” as a pianist, bandleader, and composer.
Following the release of The Lights Are Always On, Jazzthing observed, “Lynne Arriale has been one of the great poets on the piano for decades.” Jazz Journal commented, “On her 16th album, [Arriale] demonstrates that she is clearly one of the best contemporary jazz pianists.“
Lynne was the first prize winner of the 1993 International Great American Jazz Piano Competition. Her 16 albums as a leader have topped the JazzWeek radio charts including: Inspiration #1, Arise #1, Come Together #3, The Lights Are Always On #3, Nuance #4, Convergence #4, Chimes of Freedom #8 and were recognized on numerous "Best Of" lists, including The New Yorker and United Press International. LIVE (CD/DVD) was named one of UPI’s Best Jazz CDs and among The New Yorker magazine’s Best CDs of the year. Solo was named one of the top CDs of 2012 by JAZZIZ magazine, and Convergence was named one of the top 50 CDs of 2011 by JazzTimes. Her release, Give Us These Days, was included in the top Jazz CDs of 2018 by Jazz History Online and the Best New Jazz Releases of 2018 by The Arts Fuse. Chimes of Freedom was named one of the Best CDs of 2020 by Downbeat and Best Jazz Instrumental Releases of 2020 by Jazz History Online. Lynne’s latest release, The Lights Are Always On ranked #19 on the JazzWeek Radio year-end charts for all 2022 airplay, #2 on Ken Franckling’s Jazz Notes “Favorite Jazz Records of 2022,” “Sounds Like America” on Ken Franckling’s “Favorite New Compositions from CDs released in 2022,” and #6 on Textura’s year end “Top 30 Jazz Releases.”
Lynne toured Japan with “100 Golden Fingers”, a group that included iconic jazz pianists Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Monty Alexander, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Harold Mabern, Roger Kellaway, Junior Mance and Ray Bryant. She has performed and/or recorded with jazz masters, Randy Brecker, George Mraz, Benny Golson, Rufus Reid, Larry Coyell and Marian McPartland, to name a few.
The world's great jazz festivals and concert stages have invited Lynne to perform, including five performances at the Kennedy Center and additional performances at Lincoln Center, Montreux, Burghausen, Gilmore, Spoleto Arts, Montreal, Monterey, North Sea, Stuttgart, Pori, San Francisco, Ottawa, Zagreb, Perth, Brisbane, Rouen, Cannes MIDEM, Sardinia, Rochester, Wigan, Poznan, Estoril, Palermo, Inverness, Cork and San Javier.
Lynne’s tours have taken her to Brazil, Germany, Austria, Serbia, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Australia, Japan, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, China, South Africa and the U.S.