What's New on WDCB... with Paul Abella

Shawn Maxwell – J Town Suite (Cora Street Records)

Saxophonist Shawn Maxwell has recently released an album dedicated to his childhood home, Joliet, Illinois. Throughout J Town Suite’s nine songs, we’re given one man’s perspective on a few of the places that left an imprint on his life, from the notorious prison(s) and dilapidated bridges to the local bars and the wacky hot dog stand that help to give Joliet its character. Joliet being Joliet, though, there’s both joyful childhood reminiscence and the creepy and ominous tones of Joliet being a rust belt town, through and through. Maxwell has assembled an astonishing working band these days, and that band is featured here: Collin Clauson on keys, Michael Barton on bass and Greg Essig on drums, with Maxwell playing alto and soprano saxes, as well as flute. That band can tackle songs with complicated harmonies and meter changes with ease, and they’ve clearly inspired Maxwell to make some challenging music. “Steelmen March” starts the festivities off with a staccato melody that manages to remind me of John Zorn’s Masada and early 70’s Frank Zappa. “Fries or Rings in the Back,” “In the Shadow of Statesville” and “Ghost Mall on Jefferson” all have an eerie vibe that would work well in a neo-futurist Crime Noir movie. “Jerry” is the most accessible song on J Town Suite, and both Clauson and Maxwell turn in excellent solos on it. For jazz fans that like fusion and more cerebral modern jazz, J Town Suite will be a treat.

Dave Stryker – Groove Street (Strikezone Records)

Dave Stryker has been on a tear over these past few years. First with the Eight Track records, his record with myriad saxophonists paying tribute to one-time boss Stanley Turrentine, an album featuring his group augmented by strings, and another getting him together with Jared Gold and McClenty Hunter. That same trio is back, with guest artist, Bob Mintzer, and the result is Groove Street. The name is no lie; this band is in the pocket throughout all 9 songs here, featuring originals from Stryker, Mintzer and Gold, plus classics from the pen of Wayne Shorter (“Infant Eyes”), Harry Warren {“The More I See You”) and Eddie Harris (“Cold Duck Time”). The title track kicks off the album on a high note, swinging hard and fast. “Summit” features not only great playing by Mintzer, but also a Jared Gold solo that evokes Larry Young quite effectively. Gold is also the hero on “Cold Duck Time,” pulling off not only Leroy Vinegar’s bassline, but also a great approximation of Les McCann piano line with his right hand. Stryker’s arrangement adds a few measures to the song, but it helps to give this rendition a flavor that other musicians’ takes on this one just do not have. Speaking of unique arrangements of classics, “Infant Eyes” keeps the beautiful melody intact, but underpins it with a funky vamp that makes it sound more about making infants than adoring them. Stryker’s albums are a hit with all of us at WDCB because they’re what organ jazz trio (and quartet) albums are all about…grooves with grit, grease and gumption. Groove Street is yet another winner in his discography.

Gregory Tardy – In His Timing (WJ3 Records)

In a perfect world, Gregory Tardy would be a household name. He’s an excellent player, composer, arranger, and an assembler of great talent, too. On In His Timing, Tardy has done all of these things. Tardy, interestingly enough, sticks to the clarinet throughout In His Timing. The supporting cast here is an outstanding band, featuring Regina Carter on violin, Taber Gable at the piano, Matthew Parrish on bass and Alvester Garrett behind the drums. The pairing of clarinet and violin on the front line of a jazz quintet is unique, whether on standards like “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” Jazz classics like Johnny Hodges’ “Squatty Roo,” or old-time gospel songs like “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” Tardy’s originals largely speak to his faith, and they are the real standouts here, especially “The Tree of Life” and “The Sign of Jonah.” Both of these have one foot in modern jazz and one foot in modern gospel music, and Taber Gable’s piano playing on these is especially effective and moving. In His Timing is an excellent new release, and a great way to start off a new year of exciting and fresh Jazz albums.