JAZZ REVIEW: Christian Dillingham "As It Relates To Now" by Jeff Cebulski

Christian Dillingham

As It Relates To Now. Shifting Paradigm Records, 2026

By Jeff Cebulski ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Christian Dillingham, double bass

Greg Ward, alto saxophone

Jeremy Cunningham, drums

Bassist Christian Dillingham’s albums as a leader have strong thematic characteristics of reflection. Cascades reflects on the past to clarify the present; Halcyon, initiated by the loss of his father, reflects on the depth of family and community identity; and the newest album, As It Relates To Now, reflects on the present social environment and his attempt to cope within it. Each album features different accompanying musicians who add colors to Dillingham’s visions: Cascades features a quintet, Halcyon a quartet, and As It Relates To Now is delivered by a pared-down trio, as if its leader wanted to make clear what is on his mind.

And this trio really delivers. On alto sax is a veteran of contemporary Chicago jazz, the effusive Greg Ward. On drums is Jeremy Cunningham, whose own energized works investigate personal experience. Dillingham, on double bass, seems intent to craft music that climbs to higher ground in the midst of social calamity. The cool thing is the harmony and synergy this trio exhibits throughout. Ward displays some of his finest expression while Dillingham and Cunningham create varied pockets of stalwart support.

While the themes here evince serious thought, the bluesy drive and animated swing throughout offer vestiges of hope. The title cut sets the tone; Cunningham’s insistent Motown-ish beat drives the pace, as Ward seems to want to deliver a eulogy but can’t stop dancing, a musical duplicity that typifies much of Cunningham’s compositional style on this album. “Obseletion,” a term meaning the act of becoming obsolete, features Dillingham’s droning bass line over Cunningham’s Billy Higgins-ish runs while Ward weaves and wanders. “Special Relativity” finds sax and bass in tandem before settling into a bluesy swing punctuated by Cunningham’s kit, reminiscent of Lee Konitz’s trio recordings.

Cunningham’s percussive solo introduces “Behind the Horizon,” featuring a pensive, draggy sax-bass juxtaposed with the drummer’s agitation. “Wooden Lawns” is the punned title of a tribute to the southside’s Woodlawn community, with some of Dillingham’s funkiest playing supporting a colloquial Ward display. Perhaps the most directed compositions are “If They Knew,” a slow wail that comments on the distance between the political milieu and social realities, connected to “Delusional Grandeur,” a modal, sprite-ful, perhaps satirical commentary on power figures featuring Ward’s animated runs that seem to mock them. The end piece, “The Divine Current,” abstractly suggests a dimension that runs through life, out of pace or reach from the follies of the present.

The music of Christian Dillingham has purpose while exhibiting notable chops that make his thoughts accessible and meaningful to the audience. On As It Relates To Now, In his adroit selection of accompanists, Dillingham shows once again his capability to create interesting, meaningful jazz moments.

For more info visit, bandcamp.com/asitrealatestonow.

About Jeff Cebulski

Jeff Cebulski, who lives in Chicago, is a retired English educator (both secondary and collegiate) and longtime jazz aficionado. His career in jazz includes radio programs at two stations in southeast Wisconsin, an online show on Kennesaw State’s (GA) Owl Radio from 2007 until 2015, and review/feature writing for Chicago Jazz Magazine since 2016, including his column "Jazz With Mr. C". He has interviewed many jazz artists, including Joshua Redman, Charles Lloyd, Dave Holland, John Beasley, and Chris Brubeck, as well as several Chicago-based players. Jeff is a member of the Jazz Journalists Association. Contact Jeff at jeff@chicagojazz.com