Ben Tweedt: ‘Life Cycle’

One of the joys of reviewing jazz albums from around the world comes when artists contact me directly to share their release, and that is the case with pianist Ben Tweedt. ‘Life Cycle’ came out in June and I can only apologise for the delayed review. This is a great set of tunes.

Doing some background research, I discovered that Ben won the 2019 American Jazz Pianist Competition at the Yamaha Artist Center in New York and he’s clearly honed his art since then. With influences from Herbie Hancock, Ahmada Jamal and Chick Corea, Tweedt is carving out his own style with this album.

From the opening track - Back to School - this feels truly like a personal exploration of life’s journey up to the final track - Lullaby - where, perhaps, the subject of the compositions has grown from a child into an adult.

Life Cycle is more than a piano trio album, with each musician allowed expressive space to weave melodies and improvisations around each other. Tweedt is joined by Justin Dawson (bass) and Tom Buckley (drums) in his compositions that include the dynamic Warrior Poet. Of all the tracks, this is the one that seems to evoke something of a military man with a pure soul, right at the heart of the album.

Tweedt says: “The album’s title carries dual significance. It reflects both my own place within the great life cycle and the broader idea that everything - relationships, politics, nature - moves in cycles. Even my compositions mirror this, built around circular and swirling forms rather than linear structures.”