[midlife 150] #144: bojan zulfikarpašić “don’t buy ivory, anymore”

#144 Don’t Buy Ivory, Anymore by Bojan Zulfikarpašić (taken from Solobsession, 2001)

Bojan Zulfikarpašić (or simply Bojan Z) is a Belgrade-born, American-educated, Paris-based jazz pianist and group leader. Although he has (apparently) invented a piano/Fender Rhodes hybrid instrument, called the Xenophone, this track is from his widely admired solo piano album, 2001′s Solobsession.

Written by label-mate and occasional collaborator Henri Texier, Don’t Buy Ivory, Anymore perfectly showcases Zulfikarpašić’s lightness of touch and lyricism at the piano. The improvisational sections open up the composition melodically and harmonically while maintaining the integrity and pacing of the piece, before bringing it to a meditative close. Lovely.

Although this is perhaps the most accessible piece on the album, the other tracks do not bury their beauty too deeply. Solobsession is highly recommended.

This review is part of close to 94 ‘s [midlife 150] series, which counts down favourite music 1970-2009.