What makes The Nearness by Jane Ira Bloom notable?

The Nearness received critical acclaim for its sophisticated arrangements and improvisational depth, contributing to Bloom's recognition as a leading voice in contemporary jazz. It showcases her ability to blend tradition with innovation, influencing a generation of jazz musicians and earning her a spot on various top jazz lists of the year. Released in 1996, The Nearness marked Jane Ira Bloom's continued exploration of melodic jazz, following her acclaimed album, Early Americans. At this point in her career, she was establishing herself as a prominent saxophonist and composer within the jazz scene, known for her innovative approaches to sound and structure.

How many songs are on The Nearness?

The Nearness has 13 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

The Nearness

Jane Ira Bloom · 1996

68 min · 13 tracks · jazz

A contemplative blend of improvisational jazz and lyrical melodies, echoing the intimacy of late-night conversations.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Midnight Round / ‘Round Midnight — This track reinterprets Thelonious Monk's classic composition with a fresh perspective, showcasing Bloom's lyrical phrasing and emotional depth on the saxophone.
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Painting over Paris — The piece captures an impressionistic feel, reflecting both visual art and musical fluidity, highlighting Bloom's unique compositional style.
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Monk’s Tale / The Nearness of You — This track elegantly intertwines themes of longing and connection, demonstrating Bloom’s skill in blending familiar melodies with her signature improvisational touches.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong melodic improvisation and cohesive arrangements, making it rewarding for repeated listens.

What we noticed

The album features long, flowing improvisations that often extend beyond five minutes, allowing for deep exploration of themes.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Nearly Summertime 5:24
2 Midnight Round / ‘Round Midnight 5:39
3 ♭6 Bop 6:17
4 Midnight’s Measure / In the Wee Small Hours 6:19
5 Painting over Paris 5:57
6 Wing Dining 6:47
7 Panosonic 6:36
8 White Tower 4:09
9 It’s a Corrugated World 5:42
10 Monk’s Tale / The Nearness of You 3:32
11 Lonely House 6:49
12 The All-Diesel Kitchen of Tomorrow 4:07
13 Yonder 0:50

What to play next

Listen next

The Red Quartets

1999

Go back to

Art and Aviation

1992

Full Jane Ira Bloom discography Artists like Jane Ira Bloom

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata