Mat Maneri Quartet – Mist (2026)

Since 2018, violist and composer Mat Maneri has been engaged in an ambitious project that unfolds across three albums, charting an emotional and musical journey through themes of grief, loss, and tentative hope. The culmination of this endeavor, titled Mist, is set for release in 2026 and represents the final installment of a trilogy developed with a consistent ensemble of seasoned collaborators.

Maneri's longstanding musical relationships are central to this project. He formed the quartet with pianist Lucian Ban, a partner since 2013; drummer Randy Peterson, whose musical kinship dates back to 2000; and bassist John Hébert, a collaborator from the 1990s. This group has cultivated a distinctive sound that blurs conventional boundaries between jazz, classical chamber music, and folk traditions.

Their trilogy began with Dust, released in 2019 on Sunnyside Records. This debut provided a somber, introspective perspective on mourning, characterized by its atmospheric textures and somber tonalities. The second album, Ash, arrived in 2023 and continued to explore grief, employing a flexible musical language that melds improvisation with jazz frameworks and chamber music sensibilities.

Mist, the closing chapter, shifts the narrative focus toward the possibilities of hope that emerge from the lingering presence of loss. The album's compositions reflect a delicate balance between reflection and forward-looking optimism, conveyed through the ensemble's nuanced interplay and textural depth.

The opening track, “Through a Mist Darkly,” showcases Maneri’s viola weaving blues and post-bop influences into a dialogue with Ban’s piano, supported by a rhythm section that emphasizes exploration over traditional groove. The subsequent piece, “A Piece of God,” utilizes a cyclical five-note motif reminiscent of liturgical chant, fostering a meditative call-and-response between viola and piano, while the percussion and bass provide subtle, restrained accompaniment.

“Achlys,” named after the Greek personification of misery and mist, unfolds over eight and a half minutes. It begins with the rhythmic foundation laid by Hébert and Peterson, before evolving into a spacious conversation between Maneri and Ban that navigates structured improvisation and avant-garde jazz elements, evoking the mythic figure’s somber aura through tonal ambiguity.

The title track possesses a spectral quality, opening with a dirge-like theme introduced by viola, bass, and drums, subsequently enriched by Ban’s intimate piano contributions. This layering of textures creates an aura both haunting and tender.

On “Paul Motian,” named in homage to the late drummer and Maneri-Ban associate, the rhythmic approach eschews steady pulse in favor of fluid, shifting accents that highlight the ensemble's attentiveness to silence and space. Hébert’s bass punctuations and the delicate cymbal work underscore the frontline’s interplay, with Maneri’s viola articulating a melancholic yet soothing presence.

The album’s most tender moment arrives with “Loved,” where the ensemble collectively embraces vulnerability. The viola’s gentle hum is enveloped by the surrounding instruments, which provide a comforting sonic embrace.

Concluding with “Missed,” the quartet presents a contemplative meditation on acceptance and loss. The piece foregrounds the dialogue between Maneri and Ban, with the rhythm section offering a subtle support that hints at cautious optimism and emotional integration.

Throughout Mist, the quartet demonstrates a profound trust and cohesion, navigating the intersections of jazz improvisation, classical form, and folk influences. Their work collectively addresses the complexities of human experience—acknowledging sorrow and devastation while gesturing toward a fragile, emerging hope.

Details about the production and additional personnel remain limited at this time, but the album’s place as the third and final part of this trilogy cements Mat Maneri and his quartet’s commitment to crafting music that is both deeply personal and artistically innovative, engaging listeners in a nuanced exploration of contemporary chamber jazz.