alex collins, ryan berg, karl latham

ALEX COLLINS/RYAN BERG/KARL LATHAM 

August 14, 2021 

Together 

Dropzonejazz, 2021 

8/10 

A collaboration between 3 esteemed musicians, Alex Collins, Ryan Berg and Karl Latham turn in some modern interpretations of timeless standards here, where their exciting interplay and no lack of solos make for a technical and adventurous listen. 

“Stella By Starlight” starts the listen with twinkling keys from Collins, as Berg’s playfully plucked bass and Latham’s restrained drumming guide the frisky jazz climate, and “Alone Together” follows with a quicker pace of flawless dynamics between the trio, where flowing melody invades the precise song craft. 

Halfway through, “On Green Dolphin Street” allows each player to shine in their own radiant light and which swings with much allure, while “Polka Dots And Moonbeams” takes a calmer approach amid much beauty that showcases keys as subtle drumming adds much to the reflective climate. 

At the end, “Night Dreamer”, a Wayne Shorter tune, builds into a dizzying and meticulous display of modern jazz prowess, and “Invitation” exits the listen with fascinating finger acrobatics from Collins, though Berg and Latham’s contributions won’t go unnoticed on the highly intricate finish. 

Let’s hope that these 3 aren’t done working together, cause their chemistry and arranging skills put a fresh coat of paint on already great tunes, essentially making them even more enticing in their contemporary jazz vision.

Tom Haugen

Alex Collins - Ryan Berg - Karl Latham

"Together"

An album emerging from diverse musical and generational backgrounds, “Together” is an inviting release from renowned drummer Karl Latham and fast rising New York area musicians pianist: Alex Collins and bassist Ryan Berg. “Together” created from live streaming events, presents spirited explorations with creative soaring solos, stunning introductions and constant interplay.

Alex Collins (Piano) 

Ryan Berg (Bass) 

Karl Latham (Drums) 

1 Stella by Starlight 9:19 

2 Alone Together 7:51 

3  On Green Dolphin Street 6:23 

4 Polka Dots and Moonbeams 12:27 

5 Night Dreamer 6:19 

6 Invitation 9:45 

Alex Collins - Alex Collins is a New York City pianist, composer and arranger, performing with Michelle Coltrane; Gerry Gibbs on his #1 record, Weather or Not (2017) and Our People (June 2019). Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars; Lenny White; Lonnie Plaxico,and Ronnie Burrage.  Alex received the Wynton Kelly Jazz Foundation Award for Jazz Achievement (2003). 

Ryan Berg - Ryan Berg has made himself a staple on the New York jazz scene performing with Gregory Porter, Ravi Coltrane, Mark Whitfield, Lindsey Webster, JD Allen, Jeff Coffin, Lenny White, Rashid Ali, Gerald Clayton, Logan Richardson, Roy Hargrove, The Brianna Thomas Band, and Frank Lacy Sextet.  

Karl Latham- Internationally recognized in a variety of musical styles with artists including John Lee Quartet; Bernie Worrell; The Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars; Jerry Vivino; Andy Snitzer; Wolfgang Lackerschmid; Johannes Mossinger; Ali Ryerson and Don Braden/Karl Latham Big Funk. Karl is listed in DrummerWorld "Top" Drummers Lists; Latham/Carniaux/Egan “Constellations” 2016 BMW Welt Jazz Award selection; The Best Jazz of 2013/2015 35th/37th Annual Jazz Station Polls: 2013 Drums: #7 Karl Latham; 2015 Drums: #5 Karl Latham.

Ryan Berg - Karl Latham - Alex Collins

REviews of "Together"

All About Jazz 

Alex Collins/Ryan Berg/Karl Latham: Together  

By JACK BOWERS  
August 8, 2021  

Together—what a splendid title for a piano-led trio whose members work hand-in-glove from start to finish on an album whose music may seem familiar but is approached from various garden-fresh angles and avenues by pianist Alex Collins, bassist Ryan Berg and drummer Karl Latham, who always keep the keynotes ingenious and engaging. Collins, the melodic ringmaster, is an adventurous yet tasteful machine-gunner, spraying notes and phrases with the technical mastery of an Oscar Peterson, while Berg and Latham are ever-ready to receive whatever he has to offer and lend it even more depth and radiance.  

Among the session's strong points is the astute choice of material, five exquisite standards and one lesser-know but no less charming theme, Wayne Shorter's "Night Dreamer." Collins sets the compass on Victor Young & Ned Washington's lovely "Stella by Starlight," his single-note intro falling like gentle rain before giving way to the lustrous melody and a nimble solo by Berg. Latham introduces Arthur Schwartz & Howard Dietz' "Alone Together" and broadens the rhythmic pulse behind Collins' enterprising solo before Berg's voice is heard loudly and clearly.  

Berg frames another splendid solo on the lovely "Green Dolphin Street," the first of two memorable compositions by Bronislau Kaper (the other is "Invitation," which closes the album). Collins is comfortably at home on "Green Dolphin Street," as he is on Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart's tender ballad, "Polka Dots and Moonbeams," the first two and one-half minutes of which are his alone for some of the more enchanting observations on the album, preceding heartwarming solos by Berg and Collins.  

"Night Dreamer" is given a bright and forceful reading on which Latham bares his chops, while the normally mild-tempered "Invitation" is taken at a more rapid pace than usual, giving Collins one more chance to show his technical prowess and Berg and Latham reason to adapt to and cushion his divergent maneuvers. If your love of beautiful music is coupled with a passion for awareness, Together should be on your playlist.  

Track Listing  

Stella by Starlight; Fire; Alone Together; On Green Dolphin Street; Polkadots and Moonbeams; Night Dreamer; Invitation.  

Personnel  

Karl Latham: drums; Alexander Collins: piano; Ryan Berg: bass.