Small Constructions
| Small Constructions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 12, 2013 | |||
| Recorded | October 7–10, 2011 | |||
| Studios | Yamaha Artist Services, New York | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 51:20 | |||
| Labels | Sunnyside SSC 4013 | |||
| Producers |
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| Ben Wendel chronology | ||||
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| Dan Tepfer chronology | ||||
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Small Constructions is a studio album by saxophonist Ben Wendel and pianist Dan Tepfer, released on March 12, 2023, by Sunnyside Records.[1][2]
Reception
[edit]The All About Jazz review stated: "The use of overdubbing on several tracks, the multiplication of instruments, and even daring combinations... helps greatly expand the tonal palette available to the musicians, who nevertheless maintain restraint, good taste, a respect for form, and, why not, elegance."[3] Chris Barton of the Los Angeles Times commended the album for its "restless invention", writing: "While still a duet, the album lives up to its name with some judicious multi-tracking, [...] proving again that even with only two voices, there are seemingly endless avenues to harmony."[4] Adding to this, Nate Chinen of The New York Times called the album a "breakthrough for both its musicians".[2]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| All About Jazz |    [3] |
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Ben Wendel except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Still Play" | 5:24 | |
| 2. | "Pannonica" | Thelonious Monk | 4:02 |
| 3. | "Jean and Renata" | 5:39 | |
| 4. | "Line up" | Lennie Tristano | 4:21 |
| 5. | "Line" | 2:00 | |
| 6. | "Nines" | Tepfer | 6:23 |
| 7. | "Gratitude" | Tepfer | 6:04 |
| 8. | "Ask Me Now" | Monk | 5:54 |
| 9. | "Rygabag" | Tepfer | 2:02 |
| 10. | "Darn That Dream" | 3:04 | |
| 11. | "Variation 1 In D Minor" | George Frideric Handel | 3:59 |
| 12. | "Oblique Strategy" |
| 2:28 |
| Total length: | 51:20 | ||
Personnel
[edit]Music
- Ben Wendel – saxophone, bassoon, melodica, piano (12)
- Dan Tepfer – piano, Rhodes piano, alto saxophone (12)
Production
- Christopher Drukker – graphic design
- Nate Wood – mastering, mixing
- Vincent Soyez – photography
References
[edit]- ↑ "Dan Tepfer / Ben Wendel – Small Constructions | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- 1 2 Chinen, Nate (March 8, 2013). "Sons of Opera Moms Go Far Afield". The New York Times. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- 1 2 AAJ Italy Staff (August 19, 2013). "Ben Wendel – Dan Tepfer: Small Constructions". All About Jazz (in Italian). Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ↑ Barton, Chris (April 2, 2013). "Jazz Review: Ben Wendel/Dan Tepfer's 'Small Constructions'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 11, 2025.