Michael Moore - Bering (Ramboy, 1996)

Michael Moore, clarinets
Fred Hersch, piano
Mark Helias, bass

Recorded November 1996

Radio Bremen, Germany

Engineer Gisela Kniemeyer

A key member of Gerry Hemingway's quintet, Michael Moore ventured into leadership of his own groups, which he recorded on his own Ramboy record label. Ramboy releases include music by Clusone 3, a group with Dutch free-jazz artists Ernst Reijseger and Han Bennink, and a larger group named Available Jelly. 

In addition to those wilder ensembles, Moore made several extraordinarily beautiful albums including two by trios: Chicoutimi (1994) and Bering (1996). The spare interplay among Moore's clarinets, Fred Hersch's piano, and Mark Helias' bass offer an uncluttered and often serene soundscape whether covering familiar songs or playing Moore's originals.

I have heard no better opening track than Bering's "Mundo Sem Fim," composed by Portuguese songwriter Fernando Lameirinhas. Translated as "world without end," "Mundo Sem Fim" creates a lyrical mood that is sustained throughout the album. For instance, Jimmy Rowles' "The Peacocks" adopts the moodiness of "Mundo" on track 9. The program also includes compositions by Wayne Shorter, John Lewis, Tom Jobim, Irving Berlin, Benedito Lacerda, and others. Many of Moore's originals are vignettes lasting less than three minutes. 

There are two themes coursing through Bering. The first is the Portuguese-Brazilian theme. The Lameirinhas, Jobim, and Lacerda numbers are positioned in key places to keep this theme in the listeners' consciousness. I've read that people in The Netherlands, Moore's home base, have a great love of Portuguese music. 

The second theme is signified by the Bering Sea, pictured on the album cover, as a remote but fascinating place. Moore's albums often make connections to places such as Chicoutimi, a small region in northern Québec. Hersch and Moore play "Bering" in a way that evokes images of ice floes in the chilly expanse of the northern sea. Several other tracks, such as "Odin," named for the mythical Norse god, conjure similar imagery.

Among the delights of Bering is hearing the tone that Moore gets from his clarinets. When paired with Helias' woody bass notes, the effect is warm and intoxicating. Moore stays mainly with the standard B♭ instrument except for his use of bass clarinet on "Willie" and "Albatross." 

Hersch is a versatile player whether leading his own prolific trio or serving as a sideman for projects like Bering. His work here is reminiscent of the trio with Marilyn Crispell and Hemingway (MGM Trio, Ramboy, 1996). His recent The Surrounding Green (ECM, 2025) is one of his best ever. 

Helias was a frequent member of Gerry Hemingway's groups along with Moore. He also anchored groups led by Ellery Eskelin, Don Cherry, François Houle, and many others. His Loopin' the Cool (Enja, 1995) is one of his best outings as a leader. It features Eskelin, Tom Raney, and Regina Carter.