The Realist presents a new trio led by American Washington, DC-based cellist and composer Janel Leppin, featuring double bass player Devra Hoff (who has collaborated with Sharon Van Etten, Nels Cline, and Xiu Xiu), and drummer-percussionist Chad Taylor (of Janes Brandon Taylor bands and Chicago Underground Duo). The album was recorded at The Brink in Richmond, Virginia, in February 2024.
The Realist is Leppin’s love letter to her lifetime home of Washington, DC, and refers to historic musical venues (Comet Ping Pong, Rhizome’s Home, Twins, Kaffa House, and Bohemian Caverns) that have played a major part at various points of Leppin’s career, beginning with her punk and hardcore bands and continuing with her more free-improvised projects. Leppin dedicated «Transparent» to Bobby Hill, who founded Transparent Productions, an organization that brings jazz musicians to perform in DC, and a longtime DJ on 89.3 FM, which also received a dedication. She dedicates «Richard the Luthier» to her cello’s luthier, Richard Wang. The album is titled after the pickup that she and Hoff use to amplify their instruments.
Leppin reflects on her deep, loving emotions for her hometown, her safe space – literally and textually – as an explorer of the cello as a leading, improvising instrument. The simple yet expressive and evocative themes are opened for loose, rhythmic improvisations, while highlighting Leppin’s inclusive and versatile sonic vision. Hoff and Taylor are a perfect rhythm section that knows when to stress certain melodic hooks or when to let Leppin soar high and free with her cello.
Eyal Hareuveni
Janel Leppin (cello, Prophet 5), Devra Hoff (double bass), Chad Taylor (drums, mbira)
