2002 · Album
Faces & Places
ESC Records · Released: 2002 · Grammy Nomination: Best Contemporary Jazz Album
Zawinul's Panorama of Sound and Presence
A Grammy-nominated set that finds Zawinul commanding the full range of his compositional and improvisational gifts.
By 2002, Joe Zawinul had spent decades reshaping what electronic keyboards could do in jazz and fusion. Faces & Places arrived when most artists his age were either coasting on reputation or had already faded from view. Instead, Zawinul was still pushing, still finding new angles on melody and rhythm. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album, recognition that this late-career work had real substance.
What makes this record worth hearing is how Zawinul balances composition with spontaneity. He never lets the electronic textures overwhelm the jazz conversation happening underneath. The playing is clean and purposeful — there's no filler, no sense that he's stretching material thin. The Penguin Guide to Jazz gave it a full four stars, which is rare praise and reflects the album's genuine craftsmanship. Zawinul had learned over decades how to write pieces that sound composed but feel alive, and that skill is on full display here.
This is not a return to his Weather Report days, and it isn't trying to be. It's a record by someone who knows exactly what he wants to say and isn't interested in proving anything to anyone. If you've followed Zawinul's work and want to hear him engaged and energized, this delivers. If you're new to him, his earlier fusion records might be a more natural starting point, but this one shows he had plenty left to offer.
Who's playing
Victor Baileybass
Étienne M'Bappébass
Richard Bonabass
Joe Zawinulpiano
Dean Brownguitar
Amit Chatterjeeguitar
Harry Kimtrumpet
Les Benedicttrombone
Paco Serydrums
Bob Malachwoodwind
Alex Acuñashakers
Zakir Hussaintabla
Where next?
More by Joe Zawinul
All 12 albums →
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
