Pique-nique Recordings is proud to present 'Chrysanthemum', two spontaneous piano improvisations by composer and bandleader, Erik Deutsch; directed, sculpted, and accompanied by Spencer Zahn.

Sparseness, beauty, and freedom define Deutch and Zahn’s creative output, which was formed over a mutual admiration for Thelonious Monk’s Solo Monk LP. With his first solo improvisational recording in a 25-year career, Deutsch combines his extensive experience in the free-music realm with inspiration from the likes of Alice Coltrane and Bill Evans.

This release is part of an ongoing series that aims to capture the New York City jazz scene in its current, always evolving form.

'Improvisation is the main form of communication between NYC jazz musicians; the purest, most direct path to the essence of another creative spirit. I’ve ventured down that road in hundreds of jam sessions over the past few decades (and made life-long friends in the process). Yet somehow, when it’s time to get in the studio, one tends to lean towards pre-composed material with an idea in the back of your head that the studio free-improviser is a different kind of cat than oneself, perhaps with a different artistic integrity or maybe even lacking material.

Fuck that. I’m glad to take the plunge and I say with all honesty that nothing could feel better in this moment.' - Erik Deutsch