If Fergus McCreadie is in any way burdened by the heavy weight of popular and critical expectation, this highly assured solo piano debut shows nothing of it. Often regarded as the improvising pianist’s ultimate challenge, the unaccompanied recital forces the artist to dig deep into their inner reserves. It’s a format that Keith Jarrett returned to many times throughout his career, and given McCreadie’s well documented admiration for the American it’s perhaps no surprise that his presence is felt throughout this stunning five-track EP.
Yet the extent to which McCreadie follows Jarrett shouldn’t be exaggerated. The young Scot certainly shares that same sense of fearlessness which characterised Jarrett’s mid-‘70s breakthrough as a solo force, but his very personal blend of Scottish folk, classical and jazz musics speaks of a deeper authenticity. As I listened it was hard not to visualise McCreadie hunched over the keys, hair bobbing wildly as he surrenders to the moment, and my abiding takeaway is that Sketches is a raw and unfiltered peek into his mind.
The programme is comprised of four improvisations and a haunting reprise of “Glade”, from his 2022 Mercury shortlisted album Forest Floor. Opening track “Chorale” treads a delicate line between European classicism and chamber jazz improvisation, moving from soft pianissimo through a passage of tense blocky chords and back again. The rolling movements of “E♭ major” resemble one of Jarrett’s much-loved trance pieces, driving left-hand patterns providing weighty counterpoint to McCreadie’s darting right-hand runs.
“F major” meanwhile is a deep dive into blues and roots, and a brilliant reminder of McCreadie’s jazz credentials. The soft folkish lines of “B minor” spin balletically around a strong left-hand figure, creating a warm and welcoming space before McCreadie’s headlong improvisation takes us through a gyre of emotions. All too quickly we arrive at the closing “Glade”. McCreadie’s touch and timing are sublime, allowing the beauty of the composition to stand in its full neo-classical splendour.
A joy from first to last, the relative brevity of Sketches only seems to deepen its impact. For those yet to make McCreadie’s acquaintance it would be hard to imagine a more perfect introduction, while longstanding fans should prepare to be swept away.