Myriam Alter
Myriam Alter is one of the few female composers in jazz. Her music has followed us throughout the years - from one album to the next one. Music, full of finesse, and a different, female point of view. In each one of her projects she gathers world renowned musicians, which she then takes on a specific musical journey.
Myriam Alter was born in Belgium but her roots are Sephardic. Her mother comes from Thessaloniki, and her father is from Istanbul. She was raised in a multicultural environment and began piano lessons at a very early age. At one point she temporarily abandoned music and took a liking to psychology. But her talent and true calling made their way to the surface in the middle of her thirties when she came back to music and began writing pieces, highly influenced by her colourful life path.
Today we listen to a couple of pieces from three different albums by Myriam Alter featuring world renowned virtuosos, and we enjoy her cozy, melancholic world. A world, made up of a lot of small pieces from all parts of the globe.
Her album If (Enja, 2002) is her big break on the international scene. Amongst the names of the participating musicians are Dino Saluzzi on the bandoneon, Greg Cohen on bass, and Joey Baron on drums.
It’s All There
Where You Belong
What follows is from the wonderful Where Is There (Enja, 2007) - once again featuring Greg Cohen and Joey Baron. An album that Alter herself says it comes from the heart, and that is where love lives.
Her last issued album Crossways (Enja, 2015) reflects Myriam’s return to her Greek roots. A totally different and somehow sad album that makes us retract to ourselves and look deeper, while enjoying the colourfulness. We listen to two pieces, with Myriam Alter herself playing the piano on Crossways.
February 2020
Photo ©МА
