Connie Han: Crime Zone

Just shows you can’t judge a book by its cover. The two phots of leader and pianist Connie Han make her out to be some sort of electro-punker, but the music is undeniably swinging and mostly acoustic. She brings together a hip team in Edwin Livingston/b, Walter Smith III/ts, Brian Swarts/tp and Bill Wyasaske/dr for impressive post bop originals. The opening “Another Kind of Right” have the horns locking in and Han firmly in control of the band’s direction. Walter Smith displays a gorgeously breathy tone on “Crime Zone” and the relaxed bopper “Is That So?” Han herself gives hints of Herbie Hancock’s rich chordal ideas on “Extended Stay” and is wonderfully reflective on “Pretty Woman” and suave on “A Shade of Jade” able to flex her muscles with Wysaske on the busy “Gruvy.” When’s she coming to LA?

www.mackavenue.com

www.connieham.com

 

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