Pablo Maza’s first album with his quartet is titled Iduzki Denean and features three extraordinary musicians. First is the highly experienced Cantabrian guitarist and bassist Nicolás Alvear, who leads his own project, the Nicolás Alvear Organ Trio, and collaborates with bands such as Lash Trío and OrgáNico Trío. Jorgito Sánchez, a Navarran double bassist with a long career in jazz, flamenco, and improvisation, has collaborated with artists such as Alana Sweetwater, Rihanon Miprano, and Peio Reparaz. Lastly, Eneko Arbea, a drummer and percussionist from Pamplona, has performed at festivals such as those in San Sebastián, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Getxo. He has also collaborated with artists including Miho Hazama, Andrzej Olejniczak, and Sean Clapis.
Iduzki Denean is the result of two years of development and extensive experimentation. An album with a distinct identity, full of contrasts, textures, and artistic intentions, where folk traditions coexists seamlessly with contemporary jazz and the most unorthodox and creative avant-garde. Proof of this can be found in tracks such as Iduzki Denean, a reimagining of a popular song from Iparralde, and the evocative, hypnotic Bertso, inspired by the folk poem Gaztalondo handian. At the helm of this quartet, Pablo Maza conceives, experiments with, and presents a whole spectrum of tones and forms. This spectrum ranges from the luminous and spontaneous dynamics of Luciérnaga to compositions like Cosecha, a tribute to traditional Argentine music and the figure of Atahualpa Yupanqui, showcase Maza’s mastery as he solos, demonstrating the influence of artists such as Pharoah Sanders and John Coltrane. Iduzki Denean is endowed with a wide range of colors and presents itself as a particularly luminous and optimistic album with high narrative content. This is in keeping with the flexible, versatile spirit of a band that flows brilliantly through the rhythmic effusions of El Rey Mono, with clear Afro-Colombian influences. The band moves through the blues and swing in Tofu and reinvents The Peacocks, originally written by American pianist and singer Jimmy Rowles, a track with which Pablo Maza and his band bring this album to a close.
Pablo Maza weaves together the invisible threads that link tradition and the avant-garde. Origin and destination, roots and innovation take on mutual meaning, imbued with this indivisible duality, with this vibrant dance called Iduzki Denean.
