Ivan Farmakovskiy at age 52 is one of the premier jazz pianists in Russia. Following formal schooling he played in a number of Russian and Western ensembles, won the 1994 bi-annual Russia Jazz Competition, the biggest contest for young Russian performers, and a prize at the 1997 Europe Jazz Contest in Belgium. Sometime in the early 2000s he formed his own quartet, which recorded an album of mostly originals in 2009 that was released physically in Russia and digitally in the U.S. Then in 2010 he had this date with two of the top rhythm section players in the jazz world, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Jack DeJohnette. I’ve not seen any explanation as to why it’s only being released now, 15 years later, but I’m glad SteepleChase put out Ivan Farmakovskiy’s Epic Power. All fans of modern hard bop piano trio jazz should rejoice, as well.
Farmakovskiy holds his own and then some with McBride and DeJohnette. They’re on fire from the start with the high octane set opener “Soul Inside Out.” Things settle down a bit (but just a bit) on the swinging “The Day Before” and the mid-tempo waltz “Conciliation.” A high point is “Orange,” which finds DeJohnette really pushing the tempo, basically soloing throughout as Ivan alternately comps and solos. The New Orleans inspired rhythm of “Professor” gives all three players plenty of openings to interact, and they do.
Languid, somewhat deceptive rubato introductions on several of these tracks including “Lazy Lady” and the closer “Smile Toys” nearly always give way to yet another swinging, bluesy bop. Not complaining! The only lush romantic ballad here is also the only cover, a loving cover of the Lennon-McCartney chestnut “And I Love Her.” I’m picky about jazz covers of the Beatles, but this one does it right, including a sweet arco bass solo from McBride.
I hope SteepleChase has more in store from this highly inventive and entertaining pianist.
(SteepleChase, 2025)
