Search - Joanna Wallfisch, Dan Tepfer :: The Origin Of Adjustable Things

Hailed by the great Fred Hersch as a real discovery - a first-rate musician in every way, British vocalist Joanna Wallfisch has built an impressive profile since her move to New York from London in 2012. She takes a bold step forward in her creative journey with The Origin of Adjustable Things, a stark and expressive duo album with rising piano master Dan Tepfer. In the mysterious poetry of her lyrics, the freshness of her harmonic choices and the expansiveness of her sonic palette, Wallfisch sets a high bar as she and Tepfer explore a musical universe of their own making.

Of the album title, Wallfisch recalls: It first appeared when I was waterskiing with my family, looking at this rope, and I thought, I wonder what the first of adjustable thing was. It was a whimsical question, and I love where it can lead you in your imagination. A song is an adjustable thing, music is an adjustable thing. It s down to the listener to interpret it, so the interpretation too is adjustable.

Wallfisch commands attention right away with the lilting 7/8 meter and wordless percussive line of This Is How You Make Me Feel, interweaving and harmonizing with Tepfer s piano in an inventive dance. This album is very much a result of the personal and musical connection we share, says Wallfisch of Tepfer, who served as engineer on the main recording session as well.

Wallfisch also relates how working with Tepfer has opened my eyes to certain things, the biggest being the very many ranges of expression within my voice, and allowing myself to be more vulnerable. The stage, to me, has always been a place of composure, confidence and assuredness. I ve since let myself explore vulnerability and I ve been surprised not only by how effective it is, but how natural it feels to be a little more open and raw, not only onstage but also in my writing.

While the album s main focus is voice and piano, there are varied sonic elements pump organ, Wurlitzer, Mellotron, live-looped vocal harmonies that bring out the full richness of Wallfisch s compositional approach. Her 2012 debut, Wild Swan, featured a full band with accomplished jazz players Rob Garcia, Sam Newsome and Joe Martin, yet The Origin of Adjustable Things, with just two musicians, manages to sound as texturally involved.