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

Dave Anderson – In Lieu of Flowers (self-produced)

New York saxophonist Dave Anderson recently released a new album called In Lieu of Flowers. He’s joined by pianist Grant Richards, bassist Lorin Cohen and drummer Jimmy MacBride. Together, they’ve created a bright and swinging album with an obvious tip of the hat to the legendary Wayne Shorter. Much like Shorter, Anderson is equally talented with both the tenor and soprano saxes. And on “One for Wayne,” this listener can hear hints of a number of Shorter’s compositions. The allusions may not be as obvious on “Arms of Maria” or “Stell,” but Shorter’s influence is still felt nonetheless. The slick funk of “Thilmany” is subtle, and it benefits from having a fantastic rhythm section in Lorin Cohen and Jimmy MacBride. “Sandy’s Ladies,” which closes the disc, is a shockingly relaxed Samba, and it’s a fantastic way to say goodbye.

Noah Haidu – Standards III (Infinite Distances)

Pianist Noah Haidu has been on a roll the last few years with his Standards albums. Now, up to Standards III, we witness Haidu with two trios (with bassist Gervis Myles & drummer Charles Goold, or Buster Williams and Billy Hart) and on “Slipstream,” one of Haidu’s three originals, a quartet, with Steve Wilson (alto sax), Peter Washington (bass) and Lewis Nash (drums). The three groups sound cohesive across the span of the album. Duke Ellington’s “Things Ain’t What They Used to Be” benefits from some terrific interplay between Williams, Hart and Haidu. “Yesterdays,” and “Lover” are barn burners, while “Alone Together” gets a much more relaxed pace than I’m used to. The shocking and inspired pick on the album is modern pop singer Chappel Roan’s “Casual,” which, frankly, sounds great. Then again, most everything on Standards III sounds fresh, which is no small feat. Haidu should be proud of what he’s produced on Standards III.

Nancy Kelly – Be Cool (Origin)

Vocalist Nancy Kelly is back with a new album on Origin Records, Be Cool. Given the quality of Kelly’s voice, and the sidemen she’s surrounded herself with on the album, it’s no surprise that the album sounds great. Jerry Weldon and Houston Person (on two tracks) are the tenor saxophonists. Dave Stryker is playing guitar, Carmen Intorre, Jr is behind the drums, and William Gorman is the organist. From the opener, “Devil May Care,” this is a disc high on energy. This is one of the rare times that I’ve heard “Besame Mucho” with an arrangement that swings, but here we are, and the change of pace is fantastic. Joni Mitchell’s “Be Cool” gets a treatment that is right in the pocket, and it’s probably impossible to not be charmed by the version of Miles Davis’ Boplicity (with lyrics, now it’s “BeBop Lives”). With a band of this caliber, and the laid back vocals of Nancy Kelly, it seems to be pretty easy to , well, Be Cool.