TIM GARLAND & GEOFFREY KEEZER: MEZZO

Tim Garland saxophone
Geoffrey Keezer piano

The Mezzo music project, led by British saxophonist Tim Garland and American pianist Geoffrey Keezer, represents a convergence of the European lyrical tradition and the American jazz drive. This collaboration is not merely a chance meeting of two virtuosos, but a profound dialogue between two musical worlds that complement each other with incredible ease and elegance.

Tim Garland, known for his long-standing collaboration with the legendary Chick Corea, brings to the project his signature style—technically flawless yet emotionally expressive—which he now showcases on an unconventional instrument: the mezzo-soprano saxophone, rarely used in jazz. Geoffrey Keezer, a Grammy nominee and acclaimed for his ability to blend classical training with the modern jazz idiom, accompanies him on piano with a sensitivity that borders on telepathy. It is no coincidence that the famous vibraphonist Gary Burton called this pair “the best jazz duo he has ever heard.”

Tim Garland, known for his longstanding collaboration with the legendary Chick Corea, brings to the project his signature style—technically flawless yet deeply emotional—which he demonstrates this time on an unconventional instrument: the mezzo-soprano saxophone, an instrument used only very rarely. Geoffrey Keezer, a Grammy nominee and acclaimed for his ability to blend classical training with the modern jazz idiom, accompanies him on piano with a sensitivity that borders on telepathy. It is no coincidence that the famous vibraphonist Gary Burton called this pair “the best jazz duo he has ever heard.”

The music on the album Mezzo, as well as in its live performance, defies strict genre categorization; it flows seamlessly from complex post-bop structures to almost impressionistic passages reminiscent of chamber classical music. Indeed, the composers include both Chick Corea and, for example, Erik Satie. The compositions are full of color and unexpected twists; Garland’s tone is pure and clear, while Keezer’s playing creates rich textures that form the perfect foundation for the saxophone lines.

The recording was made in just five hours at a New York studio during a period when both musicians were seeking new ways of expression within a smaller ensemble, which gives the resulting sound an intimate, even intimate character. The listener feels as though they are sitting right in the middle of the studio, watching pure energy flow between the two masters. Although this is technically very demanding music, the result feels incredibly organic and accessible even to those who don’t usually listen to jazz. It is music that is in no hurry, yet possesses a constant inner movement and tension. Mezzo is, in short, proof that when British sophistication meets American energy, something timeless is created. In this case, undoubtedly one of the most brilliant examples of modern chamber jazz of the 21st century.