TIM GARLAND & GEOFFREY KEEZER: MEZZO

Tim Garland – saxophone
Geoffrey Keezer – piano

The *Mezzo* project, a collaboration between British saxophonist Tim Garland and American pianist Geoffrey Keezer, represents an intersection of the European lyrical tradition and American jazz drive. This partnership 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 his signature style—technically flawless yet deeply emotive—to the project. Here, he showcases this artistry on an unusual instrument: the mezzo-soprano saxophone, a rarity in the jazz world. Geoffrey Keezer—a Grammy nominee acclaimed for blending classical training with a modern jazz vocabulary—partners him at the piano with a sensitivity bordering on telepathy. It is no coincidence that the renowned vibraphonist Gary Burton has hailed this pair as "the best jazz duo I have ever heard."

The music on the *Mezzo* album—and in its live performances—defies strict genre categorization; it flows seamlessly from complex post-bop structures to near-impressionistic passages reminiscent of classical chamber music. Indeed, the list of composers includes figures ranging from Chick Corea to Erik Satie. The compositions are rich in color and unexpected twists; Garland’s tone is pure and luminous, while Keezer’s playing creates rich textures that provide the perfect backdrop for the saxophone lines.