Secret Keeper’s unique approach to chamber jazz will appeal primarily to Jimmy Giuffre, Bill Frisell and Jim Hall. Mary Halvorson, Stephan Crump and Stephan Crump make up this duo. They are two of the most creative players and composers in the New York Jazz scene. Halvorson, a new voice in jazz guitar, and her quintet performed at the Newport Jazz Fest 2013. She has been featured in JazzTimes, the New York Times and DownBeat. “Her] writing is great and original, [and her] guitar playing is just plain badass,” DownBeat said. Stephan Crump, a classically trained bassist, plays alongside contemporary legends Vijay Iyer, Steve Lehman, and others. He is also a great composer and leads Rosetta Trio. DownBeat states that “…cuts right to the heart of jazz fundamentals. Their first album, Super Eight, was an improvisational collection. Emerge is their new album that showcases their music and the extraordinary relationship they have created. It’s amazing to see how much energy and beauty they can create with only guitar and bass. This record is already being praised by critics: “Their relationship and shared intuition seemed evident from the beginning of their partnership, but the latest record, which sees them effortlessly transitioning from structured passages into wide-open excursions and back again, is even richer. I am able to recall the tunes more clearly with each passing, but what really grabs me is how Halvorson and Crump dance in those melodies. This kind of connection cannot be faked.” – Chicago Reader
