Allemong by Christian Euman

In the fall of 2014, Christian Euman left his hometown of Chicago and dove headfirst into an unknown future in Los Angeles. He was one of seven musicians selected to study at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance, which involved a grueling combination of graduate courses and global performances. But in his spare time, Euman was eager to soak up whatever experiences this new city had to offer: making new friends, playing with new musicians, forming new Fantasy Football leagues, trying Korean BBQ, and even Korean Spas. He approached all these and more with a childlike sense of joy.

It’s important to make the distinction between childlike and childish. The word childish implies a lack of maturity or seriousness, and Euman’s devotion to his craft is anything but. Anyone who hears him play can attest to his great groove, inventive improvisation, and sensitive accompaniment. But what sets Euman apart is his ability to listen, adapt, and bring the best out of the entire ensemble; no ego, no agenda, no phoning it in. He exists in the present and is open to any possibility that each musical moment brings. Not only is Euman willing to operate outside of his comfort zone, he seemingly prefers it that way.

Now a top-call sideman and session musician, Euman leaves his comfort zone once again to deliver Allemong, his debut album as a composer, arranger, and bandleader. He enlists the similarly intuitive musicians he’s been playing with since he first set foot in Los Angeles. Some say the romance between Euman’s ride cymbal and Alex Boneham’s bass was love at first quarter note. Miro Sprague is the Monet of this record—a textural mastermind of the piano, providing a diverse color palette. Ido Meshulam improvises complex lines on trombone and bass trumpet with ease, while Daniel Rotem’s thoughtful tone on soprano and tenor saxophones resembles that of a human voice. When vocalists Erin Bentlage and Michael Mayo are not performing their jaw-dropping lyrical features and solos, they are creating a lush harmonic blend with the horns. If a freshly tuned Steinway could sing, it would sound like Bentlage and Mayo.

Euman’s compositions and arrangements, along with his playing, strive to showcase the vast possibilities of this ensemble. Some tracks contain carefully crafted sonics and planned changes in scenery, while others give the band a broad outline and enough freedom to flourish. There is clearly a feeling of mutual trust among the musicians that allows this group to reach its full potential. After years of bringing other people’s visions to life, Euman successfully gives us a piece of his own incredible personality.

-Jacob Mann (master pianist, keyboardist & friend)

Christian, originally from Chicago, is a drummer currently based in Los Angeles. He has performed all over the world with the likes of Kurt Elling, Billy Childs, and many more. He is also currently the touring drummer of Jacob Collier's "Djesse World Tour."

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