Here are three bands that are keeping the tradition of the post bop small group intact.
Outer Bridge consists of Mark DeJong/sax, Steve Hudson/key, David F reeman/perc and Jerome Jennings/dr and all of the material here is written by band members. They can deliver gentle grooves as on “New Beginnings” or get into the bluesy bop mood with “Homage to Freedom” which has DeJong/s tenor moan with passion. A funky New Orleans-ish “Determined” shows off the rhythm section, while the peaceful “Wanderin’” spotlights Hudon’s warm piano sounds. Impressive workout.
Guitarist Ricardo Grilli fronts a team of Gustavo D’Amico/sax, Christian Li/p, Jared Henderson/b and Lee Fish/dr on some well thought originals. His tensile guitar mixes well with Li on the graceful title tract, while some fragrant chords combine with D’Amico’s tenor on “The Abstract.” A web of strings seems to be conjured with bassist Fish on the intruiging “Riga” and the undercurrent of the rhythm section draws you into the dancing of “The Great Escape.” Very thoughtful but visceral music.
Alto and tenor saxist Adam Rongo uses the title of his album to share lesson number one for a horn player: have a story to tell. Rongo brings together a mix and match group with the foundational rhythm team of Emmet Cohen /p, Rodney Whitaker/b and Ulysses Owens Jr/dr for a mix of covers and originals. Sparks fly on “Turnin’ the Corner” with exciting piano and bass work as sharp as a razor. Rongo sounds cozy on alto with guitarist Randy Napoleon on “You’re Mine, You” and is as hip as all get out on his own humming “Doppelganger.” His tone is in complete control on the soft “You Don’t Know What Love Is” and is able to pop the clutch on the supercharged “Fifty-Six.” You’ll like this guy!