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

Andy Baker – From Here, From There (Calligram Records)

Chicago based trombonist Andy Baker has a new album out called From Here, From There, and it is a lot of fun. Of course, when your band includes the fantastic trumpeter Russ Johnson, and the incredible rhythm section of Clark Sommers (bass) and Dana Hall (drums), making music of this caliber is easy. Whether they’re swingin’ on standard fare like “Close Your Eyes” or one of Baker’s originals like “Blues for VDB,” this group sounds loose and capable of just about anything. That looseness could be due to the lack of a harmony instrument, but having no piano or guitar seems to give these four gentlemen some more room to roam freely on these nine selections.

Miki Yamanaka – Chance (Cellar Music)

Pianist Miki Yamanaka recently released her latest album, Chance, on Cellar Music. Teaming up with bassist Tyrone Allen and drummer Jimmy McBride, this trio is a lean, mean, swingin’ machine. Running through a setlist of standards (“Body and Soul,” “I Wish I Knew”), Jazz classics (Thelonious Monk’s “Trinkle, Tinkle,” Charlie Parker’s “Cheryl”) and a few modern Jazz gems (Geri Allen’s “Unconditional Love,” Bobby Hutcheson’s “Herzog,” and Kenny Kirkland’s “Chance”), Chance is a well-rounded album. Yamanaka’s playing is forceful and grooving, and her empathetic trio make every one of these nine tracks a joy to listen to.

OJT – Ground Level (self-produced)

Kansas City can boast a number of great organists playing Jazz within their city limits. Ken Lovern is one such organist, and his group, OJT, recently released a new album called Ground Level. Brian Baggett is the guitarist in the OJT, and Kenny Watson, Jr. plays the drums. According to the liner notes, all of the music on Ground Level was developed during their long-standing residency at the Green Lady Lounge in Kansas City, and this music sounds like it. It’s funky, danceable drinking music that sounds like it’s pulling from the instrumental soul of Booker T and the MG’s and the driving soul jazz of Reuben Wilson. “Loose Space” especially sounds like it was pulled right out of a jam session at the old Stax Studios. “Union Station” sounds like a suite, with its numerous sections, each with a different vibe. For DCB fans who also love a good jam band, the influence of Phish is unmistakable on a number of songs on Ground Level. “Baggy Blue Jeans” is a fun boogaloo, and “Tao of Cat” is a nice swingin’ tune to bring the whole journey home.