It’s a new year, but the world is still a maddening mess.
Silly of us to think that things would suddenly improve due to a somewhat
arbitrary changing of the calendar, I suppose. But, no matter, musicians are
here to make it all palatable, and to remind us of the better side of humanity.
Here are notes on a few new jazz releases you might want to pick up.
3D Jazz Trio: “9
To 5” – The new album from the trio of Jackie Warren on piano, Amy Shook on
acoustic bass, and Sherrie Maricle on drums features some fun choices of covers
(as its title promises), as well as a couple of original compositions. It opens
with a fairly exciting rendition of “I Only Have Eyes For You,” a tune written
by Harry Warren (with lyrics by Al Dubin). It has the appropriately romantic
vibe, which is great, but it really begins to grab me when Jackie Warren starts
to seriously dig in on piano, over a delicious rhythm. Then in the second half,
there is a wonderful lead on bass by Amy Shook, who did the arrangement. And
interestingly, the track concludes with a drum solo. All in all, an excellent
start to this disc. Then Jackie Warren begins “Tin Tin Deo” with some beautiful
work on piano, and it isn’t long before the song kicks in with a joyful energy.
I especially love the drumming on this track, which keeps things hopping and
cooking, and helps make this a highlight of the disc. That’s followed by one of
the most interesting song choices of the disc, “Sing,” written by Joe Raposo
for
Sesame Street. And, sure, this
was a hit for the Carpenters, but it’s still primarily a children’s television
series song. As it starts, this version has a cool rhythm with brushes on the
snare, the others providing what would be the vocal line. And then it just gets
cooler from there. I particularly love that work on bass. It’s something of a
feat to make this tune as cool as this trio has done. The arrangement is by
Sherrie Maricle. And then we get the title track, a song I’ve enjoyed since I
first heard it as a child. This version begins with the vocal line being
performed on bass, the cool introduction teasing us, hinting at the delight
that is to come. And yeah, this one kicks in and is a lot of fun. It swings and
moves. The trio then changes gears with a touching rendition of “Some Other
Time,” featuring some moving work on piano. The two original compositions come
at the end of the album. The first is “Blues For G-C,” written by Amy Shook,
which fairly quickly becomes a cool and lively number featuring some wild work
on keys and a delicious lead on bass. And before the end, there is some fun
work on drums. The second is “Theme For B.T.,” composed by Jackie Warren, which
also has a delicious sense of movement and of play. There is something of a
carefree attitude here, of truly enjoying life. This album was released on
December 2, 2022.
– This album features all original
compositions, most of them written by baritone saxophone player Daniel Western.
It opens with “Gotta Keep ‘Em Guessin’,” a fun track that keeps moving forward
with a possible destination in mind, but with the journey itself being the
focus. Just keep going and we’ll get somewhere, and if we don’t, well, that’s
okay too. I especially like that lead on guitar by Tom Wolfe. That’s followed
by “Ava’s Dance,” this one composed by alto saxophone player Jon Noffsinger. It
has a somewhat easygoing vibe, with a bit of an introverted feel at times, as
if this dance is done by a single person, who is exploring the world of the
self as well as that outside. “Guard Donkeys” has a lighter, more playful vibe,
and at times I get images of donkeys playing saxophones and hanging around,
looking dapper, tipping their hats to the ladies when not scaring off
intruders. There’s a good drum solo by Michael Glaser in the second half, and
then the action is swinging. And then “Read The Room” features a wonderful lead
by Chris Kozak on bass. The band then goes in a different direction with “Postizo,”
written by trumpet player Rob Alley. This one has a delicious Latin groove, and
a cheerful, positive vibe, particularly in Alley’s lead. And I love at the end
when the drums move more to the fore. That’s followed by “More Of The Same,”
which is a total delight. It has a sweet, familiar, relaxed groove, bringing to
mind a nice summer breeze, a time without responsibilities, and an innocent
love. Each lead on this track adds to wonderful vibe, and my appreciation of
this track grows with each one. It’s followed by “The Wayfinder,” composed by
tenor saxophone player Gary Wheat. This is one of the most interesting tracks,
for at moments it feels like it is taking us back many decades, and then just
as suddenly we feel wrapped in modern arms, while the rhythm section keeps us
on our toes. Especially intriguing is the guitar lead in the second half. Then “Diggin’
The Dapples” presents a bright, cheerful dance. Things turn funky on “Green
Lights For No One.” I love that title, by the way. I was recently at a traffic
light, and it seemed every direction had a red light. How long were we all
going to remain there? The album concludes with “Just Passing Through,” which
is of course what we are all doing. There is something beautiful about this
piece, the way the horns sound together. This album was released on July 15,
2022.
– As you might gather from the album’s title, the new album from trombonist
Eric Goletz focuses on standards, but with fresh and exciting arrangements. It
opens with Charlie Parker’s “Now’s The Time,” and it isn’t long before Eric Goletz
is delivering some delicious work on trombone. On this one, he is joined by Don
Braden on saxophone, and the two engage in some great play. This track also
features good leads by Jim Ridl on piano, and by Henry Heinitsh on guitar. Then
“Just In Time” comes at us at a great clip, featuring some phenomenal work by
Brian Glassman on bass. The band is cooking here, so just do your best to hang
on. That’s followed by a cool rendition of “Caravan.” On this track the group
is joined by a string section, adding to the track’s mood and atmosphere. And
in the second half, things really begin to move, each musician adding to the
story in short bursts. Soon they ease back into the main theme, the strings
coming in again. This for me is one of the disc’s highlights. And then check
out the percussion on “Nutville.” Steve Johns plays drums on this album, and Joe
Mowatt is on percussion. This track also features more good work by guest Don
Braden on sax. There are two tracks to feature vocals on this release, both
with LaJuan Carter. The first is a beautiful rendition of “Nature Boy,” a track
that also features the string section. Carter delivers a haunting, captivating
performance. Then “Train Shuffle” is all about that good groove. “Jungle Juice”
also contains a great groove, and features some excellent work on piano. Things
really take off during “Mayreh,” a track that has a delicious energy and
features some excellent work on drums. The album switches gears then with “The
Summer Knows,” featuring some gorgeous work from the string section and a
moving lead by Eric Goletz. That’s followed by an unusual rendition of “Summertime,”
with a Latin rhythm, a different sort of setting than is usually given this
song. But perhaps the coolest track is “Sugar,” with Eric Goletz supported by just
bass and drums. I love the vibe of this one, and it features some memorable
work on bass, while Eric Goletz takes us on a delightful ride. That’s followed
by “Windmills Of Your Mind,” the second track to feature LaJuan Carter on
vocals. This one also features Eric Goletz on piano, as does his sweet rendition
of Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed.” The album then concludes where it began, with a
short return to “Now’s The Time,” along with a bit of studio banter. This album
is scheduled to be released on February 10, 2023.
– This new album from saxophone player and composer
Christopher McBride features all original compositions. It kicks off with a
lively number titled “Lady D,” a piece written for his mother. My mom has this
kind of energy too, so this track has me thinking of home. This tune is about
movement, about vitality, about not backing down or slowing down, and it features
some excellent playing by all the musicians. I find myself especially hooked by
Noah Jackson’s work on bass, and by Cedric Easton’s work on drums, providing
the track’s quick and strong pulse. There is also a great lead on piano by
Jonathan Edward Thomas, and of course some excellent stuff on saxophone. Ah, if
we can all keep moving at this pace, with this sort of energy, death will have
trouble catching up to us. This track provides an exciting and delicious
opening. It is followed by “Welcome,” in which the musicians are introduced, as
if this were a live album. In addition to the musicians already mentioned, JS
Williams is on trumpet, Morgan Burrs is on guitar, Bobby Broom is on guitar,
Kenny Bentley is on tuba, Corey A. Wallace is on trombone, Luke Carlos O’Reiley
is on keyboards and organ, and J. Hoard is on vocals. “You Put A Smile On My
Face” is an easygoing, cheerful number, like a delightful stroll through the
city on a bright day, when somehow everyone you meet is in a good, friendly
mood. It features a wonderful lead by Bobby Broom on guitar, as well as a good
lead on bass. The bass then begins “Bronx Unchained,” a tune with a strong
sense of rhythm, a piece that feels like the city, but this time with a good
deal less cheer, at least at first. The lead on piano then takes the track in a
different direction, and it isn’t long before things are hopping. The track
returns to that initial rhythm at the end. J. Hoard provides vocals on “Your
Eyes Can’t Lie,” a mellower song with a romantic bent, a vibe that continues in
“Intimacy.” But the heart of this album lies in “Stand Your Ground,” which was
inspired by the story of Trayvon Martin’s murder. It is told in three parts,
each part given its own track. The first part, “Suspicion,” begins with bass,
the lone instrument giving the feeling of walking home alone. There is a sense
of danger increasing just as the other instruments come in. The second part,
“Confrontation,” interestingly also begins with bass, this time with more
energy, more anxiety at the start. And as the other instruments come in, there
is a frantic sense to the piece, any doubt as to the danger now gone. And its
sudden ending makes clear what has happened. The third part, “In Memoriam: The
Ballad Of Trayvon Martin” also begins with bass, this time more thoughtful,
contemplative. “Girl Get ‘Em” is a fun number, with a delicious New Orleans
vibe, to raise the spirits of all who listen. This album is scheduled to be
released on February 17, 2023.
– When things were shut down during the first year of the
pandemic, most musicians found their schedules suddenly wide open after venues
closed and gigs were canceled. Many venues started to stream concerts online in
order to generate a bit of income both for the artists and the clubs, and to
help with everyone’s sanity. In October of 2020, The Dave Stryker Trio recorded
a show to be streamed by a venue, and to keep with that idea of a live show,
Dave Stryker decided there would be just one take per tune. He also composed
new material for the recording. And now those tracks are being released as
Prime, the first album released by the
trio of Dave Stryker on guitar, Jared Gold on organ, and McClenty Hunter on
drums. The album opens with its title track, a cool tune that really moves,
with an energy that pops and crackles at certain moments. McClenty Hunter in
particular is cooking here, his work on the drums conveying an undeniable
excitement, an excitement that all three musicians clearly felt at being able
to play together again. There is some fiery playing here. And I am digging that
drum solo toward the end of the track. The title track is followed by a tune
titled, appropriately enough, “Lockdown.” This one seems to reach inward as
well as outward, and the pace is not as wild. Still, Jared Gold takes off on
the organ partway through, and it feels like there is a strong need, as well as
desire, pushing his playing. Then check out Dave Stryker’s fantastic guitar
work on “Captain Jack,” a song that has something of a positive vibe, with an
enthusiastic and resilient spirit. Two of the tunes on this release also
appeared on Dave Stryker’s 2022 album
As
We Are, “Hope” and “As We Were,” though in different configurations. One
big difference is that on the earlier release there is a string quartet. “Mac”
has a strong groove, and features some delicious work on organ early on. The album’s
only track not composed by Dave Stryker is “I Should Care,” which was written
by Alex Stordahl, Paul Weston and Sammy Cahn. The trio delivers a good
rendition, which begins in a tender, gentle place, and then gets livelier
partway through, Jared Gold driving it forward on organ. “Deep” also gathers
energy as it goes. The album concludes with “Dude’s Lounge,” which has an
easygoing, relaxed vibe as it begins, and then kicks in to become a swinging,
grooving gem. This album is scheduled to be released on February 3, 2023.
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