COVER -> POWERSSOUND
Selecting the drums as your instrument of choice seems a suicidal decision for a young, up-and-coming jazz performer. Think back, how many drummers can you name who have been icons of the music world?
Bob Powers Right you are. Damned few.
Just in the recently concluded century, the list of drum phenoms is a very short one. Most students of jazz history probably would list Jo Jones, the wonderful Gene Krupa, the delightful Louis Bellson, the amazing Buddy Rich, and precious few others.
Jason Marsalis (yes, he's one of those Marsalis brothers, the youngest) is slowly but convincingly making strides toward becoming the big name of the future. As a member of the impressive Los Hombres Calientes, Marsalis has shown his mastery of the role of drummer in a scintillating Latin jazz group.
Now Marsalis has his second album as a leader, "Music in Motion" (Basin Street Records). These five musicians have melded into a seamless quintet that demonstrates their knowledge of jazz history and forms. Playing with a confidence that shows that frequent performing is the best avenue toward achieving a smooth sound that will mesmerize veteran jazz fans, while perhaps enticing new adherents to the most important and energizing musical form one can imagine.
The new album is generous with its music, the 10 originals requiring 74 minutes to work their way into the listeners heart. The group includes John Ellis on tenor sax, Derek Douget on alto and soprano saxes, Jonathan Lefcoski on piano, and Peter Harris on bass.
In the album notes, Marsalis writes about trumpeter Antonio Gambrell becoming unavailable for the recording session not long before it was scheduled to start. That changed things considerably, Marsalis explains. With a new horn combination, he found himself with little time to prepare material. "Fortunately, the group was able to explore the spontaneous element of improvisation and rely less on composition," Marsalis explains.
Despite a horn combination that he hadn't planned for, the band sounds not only prepared, but in excellent shape. The group works together as if they'd been rehearsing for months. The solo contributions are essentially winning and worthwhile in practically every instance. These are excellent musicians who know what they're doing at all times.
Marsalis is a drummer of many talents. His work as the foundation of rhythm seems impeccable. His solos are inventive, while not being overwhelming or too lengthy. Marsalis understands that the drums should only occasionally calling attention to themselves.
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Event # 212: HONOR THE LAMB
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First-Time Leader
Reedman Brian Ogilvie got an early start in music. The native of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, began working professionally at the age of 16. When he moved to Toronto in 1979 and joined the Climax Jazz Band, things began to get serious. He joined the Wee Big Band led by Jim Galloway. Ogilvie stayed around with the band for a decade.Back in 1992, Ogilvie joined the Jim Cullen Jazz Band, working in the San Antonio area. Later he free-lanced, working with a number of major jazz names such as Joe Williams, Clark Terry, Harry Sweets Edison, and Doc Cheatham.
Finally, after his stellar work as a sideman for many groups, Ogilvie has made his first album as a leader. "For You" (Arbors Records) shows that Ogilvie has a delicate touch on tenor and alto saxes, along with the clarinet. He achieves a beautiful tone on all three instruments. His solos are filled with emotion and a deep understanding of the material.
"For You" is a quiet album, impeccably performed by a quintet of veteran musicians. John Sheridan, long a member of the Jim Cullem Band, has been featured on Arbors Records. His piano work is never less than excellent.
Special guest trombonist Dan Barrett contributes to five of the albums 15 tracks.
It's always good to hear Barrett perform. But the album belongs to Ogilvie, whose sound will help the listener slow down from a trying day. This is good music, a fine example of classic jazz.
Intimate Evening
Would you like to have a quiet evening at home, without the TV blaring away, without the worries of life? You could do worse than try a new 3-CD set of musical melodies from the large stable of Concord Records artists.The good folks at Concord have established a routine for the evening they have in mind for you. The first disc, called "Dinner by Candlelight" is meant to launch the festivities with good food and perhaps a laugh or two. The musical choices include familiar songs such as "Skylark," "Body and Soul," and "Moonlight in Vermont," with such musicians as Scott Hamilton, Marian McPartland, Warren Vache, and others.
The second disc, "Jazz by the Fire," provides music from the Concord vaults, by such talent as Gary Burton, Jim Hall, Karrin Allyson, Stan Getz, and Stanley Cowell.
Your evening can head to a conclusion with the final CD, "Jazz at Night's End." It includes lots of standards, including "Round Midnight," "Angel Eyes," and "In a Sentimental Mood." The performers include Gene Harris, Jack McDuff, Carol Sloane, Monty Alexander, and Jimmy Rowles.
It's a good idea, carried out with ease.
NEXT TIME: "Rhythm Is Our Business" is the title of the new album by Duke Heitger and his Swing Band. You may need your dancing shoes for this one. If you like guitar music, master music makers Jimmy Bruno and Joe Beck play together for the first time in their album, "Polarity." Check the reviews next time.
