04 September 2007
Don Lerman
The Zoot Side of Life
2007, New Charts
From the September 2007 issue of JazzTimes…
Taking their cue largely from the Al Cohn-Zoot Sims partnership of yesteryear, tenor saxophonists Don Lerman and Scott Silbert embark on a lightly swinging cruise through classic cool-jazz territory. The pair has highly sympathetic styles, with Lerman charting a straight-ahead course that Silbert nudges into a slightly earthier angle. The program is quite pleasant, sticking to a straight-and-narrow path that might fit in very nicely at a social function, but little depth is evident beneath its pretty surface.
03 September 2007
Ryan Keberle Double Quartet
Ryan Keberle Double Quartet
2007, Alternate Side
From the September 2007 issue of JazzTimes…
Warm and breezy, trombonist Ryan Keberle’s debut release expands the standard quartet with four additional brass pieces, a configuration balancing the rich sense of a large ensemble with the fluid agility of a small band. The disc is upbeat from start to finish, as easygoing originals alternate with crisp, well-mannered arrangements of tunes by the Beatles, Wayne Shorter and Brad Mehldau. Neatly layered horn passages stand out throughout the disc, which is also distinguished by Keberle’s ever-cheerful solos.
02 September 2007
Fred Hess Band
In the Grotto
2007, Alison
From the September 2007 issue of JazzTimes…
Abundant energy and a freewheeling attitude make this inside/outside session a delightful ride. Hess, a tenor saxophonist based in Denver, leads a strong, pianoless quintet through complex, carefully drawn labyrinths, with many touch points to the 1960s and frequent excursions toward free jazz. Bassist Ken Filiano’s rubbery solos and Matt Wilson’s shape-shifting drum work command attention on nearly every track, while Hess and fellow sax player John Gunther spar gleefully above them. And Ron Miles ices the cake with his easygoing, engaging touch on trumpet.
01 September 2007
Brandi Disterheft
Debut
2007, Superfran
From the September 2007 issue of JazzTimes…
This young Canadian bassist’s first recording as a leader boasts a strong sense of identity and a surprisingly varied compositional range. Spinning exuberant hard-bop tunes alongside serious modernism, she channels a Mingus vibe for one track and flirts with free jazz on another. The band sounds a bit reserved at times, but overall the disc is catchy and enjoyable, combining a solid understanding of tradition with a fresh spirit of adventure. The two vocal tracks are a nice surprise, matching Disterheft’s quirky lyrics with Sophia Perlman’s throaty delivery.
01 June 2007
Jeff Alkire
One Summer in Winters
2007, self-released
From the June 2007 issue of JazzTimes…
Alto saxophonist Jeff Alkire’s third CD unfolds like a pleasant stroll, with catchy themes and a rich, intimate atmosphere. Working in a quintet, sextet and trio, Alkire’s style is economical, often subdued—even at faster tempos—and sometimes grows querulous, with a slight sourness creeping in at the fringes. He gets solid support: Kelvin Sholar’s sunny piano sets the mood and Riley Mullins’ trumpet balances Alkire nicely, but it’s bassist Esperanza Spalding’s intriguingly elusive solos that stand out in this compelling set.
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