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

Brandon Sanders – The Game Changer (Savant)

Drummer Brandon Sanders is on his fourth album for Savant Records, and while The Game Changer isn’t going to change the Jazz game, it’s a solid record with a top-notch cast of characters that ensure a hard swinging album from start to finish. Pianist William Hill III and bassist Eric Wheeler are around for the whole album, while trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, saxophonist Stacy Dillard, vibraphonist Warren Wolf and vocalist Briana Swann make appearances at various points throughout the disc. The album’s title track, “The Game Changer” is so Blakey-esque that I double checked to make sure it wasn’t written by Bobby Timmons. Sure enough, Sanders has become quite the composer, and that same brand of soulful swing can be found on “James Arthur” and “Shrimp and Grits,” too. Sanders didn’t write “What is This Thing Called Love” (that’d be Cole Porter), “Isfahan” (Billy Strayhorn) or “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” (Gene Lees’ English lyric to Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Corcovado”). They’re all done beautifully, though. Swann’s vocals are gorgeous on the Jobim song, and on the Isley Brothers classic “Footsteps in the Dark,” her interpretation is downright moving. The Game Changer is yet another impressive effort from Brandon Sanders, and one that will be enjoyed by WDCB listeners, I am sure.

David Champagne – Come Before Winter (Cellar Music)

You don’t run across many Jazz musicians from Jacksonville, Florida, but trumpeter David Champagne leads a group down there, and he’s just released his debut album, Come Before Winter. Joined here by Todd Delguidice on woodwinds, Scott Giddens on piano, Dennis Marks on bass and John Lumpkin II on the drums, with a guest appearance by trombonist Michael Dease, Champagne certainly makes a bold and effective opening statement. After listening to the album, one can’t help but think about the relative proximity of Jacksonville to New Orleans. The rhythms and vibes of The Big Easy are in the air throughout the album, from the first track, “Alexander the Coppersmith,” straight through to the closing “You Dig.” Sure, there are moments that break things up a bit, like Richard Rodgers’ “Blue Room,” which is played here as a cool trumpet and bass duet. The 11th century hymn “O Sacred Head Now Wounded” is as unique as its description sounds, and Champagne’s “Nicodemus” is a wild ride that’s well worth its nine-minute runtime. Come Before Winter has plenty of high points that make it quite a worthwhile listen.

Anthony Stanco – My Way: Live at the Blue Llama Jazz Club (OA2 Records)

Trumpeter Anthony Stanco assembled an all-star crew and got them out to Ann Arbor, Michigan to record at the Blue Llama Jazz Club. The results can be heard on the new album My Way: Live at the Blue Llama Jazz Club. Coming hot right out of the gate, “Pete’s Alibi” features Stanco’s trumpet along with a great solo from pianist Xavier Davis, and exciting trades with drummer Joe Farnsworth, all while bassist John Webber lays down a driving pulse. Webber gets off a great solo on “Mack the Knife” and guitarist Randy Napoleon does likewise on “Tango Italiano.” The shocker of the entire set has got to be on “Mona Lisa.” Stanco starts off reasonably enough, playing the beautiful melody in duet with Napoleon. But when it’s time for the solos to start, any notions of a ballad feature go straight out the window, and it’s off to the races. There are plenty of surprises to be found throughout My Way, and it would be a shame for me to tell you about them all here. You’ll just need to tune in to hear them all!