David Becker

Leaving Argentina

            On Leaving Argentina, veteran guitarist David Becker ("One of the best Jazz guitarists ever " - Roger Willemsen  ZDF television, "A poet on the Jazz guitar." - Jazz Podium) captures the rich ambiance of faraway places like Patagonia, Buenos Aires, Cordoba and La Plata as well as inspiring sights like the Andes mountains. “It’s basically a record that came about from going to Argentina a lot,” says the accomplished six-stringer and leader of the flexible and highly interactive trio Tribune. “I’ve been there five or six times in the last two years and just started writing a bunch of music that was inspired by being there.”

            Accompanied by the flexible rhythm tandem of brother Bruce on drums and Bolle Diekmann on fretless electric bass and upright acoustic bass, Becker once again distinguishes himself as a talent worthy of wider recognition on the strength of this potent, eclectic outing, a followup to Tribune’s 2004 offering, Where’s Henning?

            “This is actually sort of a jubilee for me and Bruce,” says the guitarist who shuttles back and forth between homes in Los Angeles and Wuppertal, Germany. “It’s the tenth album we’ve done together in 20 years. I think it has elements of almost everything that we’ve touched on over the years, and I think it’s a natural progression to where we’re at right now musically.”

            Sessions for Leaving Argentina were held in three cities -- Wuppertal,  North Hollywood and La Plata. Becker brings his inimitable warm tone, fluid linear concept and varied harmonic palette to bear on all the material here, further establishing his place in the post-Metheny guitar world. “I’ve always been a fan of the guitar trio,” he says. “And for me it’s about trying to make the trio have a high degree of interplay while also being able to get away from the standard jazz guitar trio sound. One of the things that I’m most proud of is that people often say it’s a bigger sound that we get. I think that has to do with the arrangements and particularly the musical relationship that Bruce and I have now going on more than 20 years.”

            Indeed, the brothers Becker have forged an uncanny chemistry over that time and they are aided immeasurably on Leaving Argentina by the stellar German bassist Bolle Diekmann, who reveals a decided Jaco Pastorius influence on several numbers, including his lyrical fretless electric bass showcase, “Cordoba.” Says Tribune’s leader, “Bolle’s great. He’s definitely a big Jaco fan but he likes a lot of other bassists too. He’s one of the most musical guys I’ve ever played with, and one of the nicest too. I’ve known him for a long time. We’ve played together a great deal and he’s just a great addition to the trio. He fits in very well with what we’re all about. The musical thing that he likes definitely connects in some way with what Bruce and I like.”

            Certain tunes on Leaving Argentina, like aggressively swinging, highly interactive trio numbers “Cafe Con Leche,” “Rio De La Plata” and the boppish uptempo burner “Racin’ Through The Andes,” may recall Pat Metheny’s groundbreaking Bright Size Life (recorded in 1976 on ECM with kindred spirits Pastorius on bass and Bob Moses on drums). Other Becker originals like the driving opener “El Sueño De La Araña Roja,” the authentic tango number “It Takes Two” (with special guest bandoneon player Dario Polonara) and the dramatic Native American flavored “Patagonia” combine exotic world music elements with David’s own inherent jazziness for a wholly unique hybrid of styles.

            Elsewhere on Leaving Argentina, the guitarist reveals his gentle side on the unaccompanied acoustic guitar number “Mentras Duermes (While You Sleep)” and also on the bittersweet ballad “Hard To Say Goodbye,” which is underscored by Bruce’s sensitive brushwork and Diekmann’s upright bass. “Cordoba” is a brilliant showcase for Diekmann’s fretless virtuosity while Becker’s other brother Ed makes his recording debut on the evocative title track, which was originally conceived as a duet between drums and guitar. The trio also turns in a poignant rendition of Keith Jarrett’s “Memories of Tomorrow” (perhaps the most requested tune from his landmark Koln Concert recording on ECM). And they strike a gently swinging accord on Becker’s sprightly “Waltz For Lavignia,” which the guitarist performs on his Martin acoustic.

            “We had played most of these tunes on the road, so we had a chance to let them mature by performing them for audiences. So on our tour of Argentina we had a chance to gauge the response and really refine them a lot before going into the studio later to record them.”