Even Odds

"Even Odds" is a captivating debut album by saxophonist and composer, Tal Kalman. Recorded in July 2019 at the renowned Yellow Submarine studios in Jerusalem, this album shows exploration of musical dynamics within a saxophone trio setting. With Kalman leading the way on tenor saxophone, Daniel Ashkenazy on bass, and Itay Harel on drums, the group delves deep into the intricate interplay between these instruments, where each member seamlessly shifts between being a soloist and an accompanist. Adding a unique flavor to the album, trombonist Yonatan Voltzok makes appearances in two tracks, "Detereah" and a rendition of Thelonious Monk's classic, "Let's Cool One," and also contributes greatly to the production of the record. The album also includes a rendition of the famous Israeli song "Shir Lelo Shem," originally written by the celebrated singer and composer Shalom Hanoch.One of the distinctive features of "Even Odds" is its collection of original compositions by Tal Kalman. These compositions were predominantly crafted without a specific harmony in mind, placing a strong emphasis on the constant counterpoint between the bass and saxophone, with every recorded take taking a completely different harmonic route.