I’m still not sure how trumpeter/composer John Daversa shoehorns his 16 member big band into the legendary and cozy Baked Potato, but he stuffs it like one of the hot spuds served to the audience with some of the most flavorful musicians in town. You can have your Lincoln Jazzers, Schneider’s, Mingus Dynasty’s and Vanguard bands, for my money the hippest, hottest and hungriest band serves up a steaming plate for regular three day residencies in the legendary Valley club, and for the second time is captured in concert. Hang on tight!
Daversa gives clever insight and introductions to the pieces, and the musicianship here is top notch, including saxes Kirsten Edkins, Jeff Driskell and Sal Lozano, brass featuring Chad Willis an dPaul Young and a rhythm team with Zane Carney/g, Jerry Watts/b and Gene Coye/dr. The horns are bright and shiney as they frame Daversa’s synthy rumpet on the wild ride of “Barracuda Fantasy”, while the standard “Don’t Fence Me In” is filled with fire kindled by Coye and Watts. Carney is gentle surrounding a passionate alto solo by O’Connor on “Good Morning” and some bopping baritone by Phil Feather bounces over the rapid run of the synth splashy “Frog On A Hot Rock” that has Watts’ electric bass thumbing for a ride.
If you want some piping fresh and hot sounds, this release is a close second to taking it in at the iconic spud house. Both are quite tasty!