Yes, the town that gave us Eubie Blake, Aaron Copeland, Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth and Gil Hodges now has a thriving jazz scene, and for some years even its own label. Here are the three latest from Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records…
Tenor saxist Gianni Gagliardi is said to be one of the new up and comers, and he sounds pretty impressive and original here as he leads a team of GIlad Hekselman/g, Luke Mrantz/p, Alexis Cuadrado/b and Mark Ferber/dr through eight originals. He likes playing inside, but isn’t afraid to take a few punches to the left, as he throws in a few yelps and squeals as on the opening of “Paris” before setting into a groove. He goes for unison lines with guitar and piano on the intriguing “Macanudo Man” and “Margolinda,” the latter slowly allowing the othe musicians to enter the stage carefully and deliberately in an attractive buildup. His warm solo on “Silynette” leanes into an intense calypso whiel the lets his mates get thunderous on “Varicela Patagonica.” He shows his allegiance on “Senor Trane” which includes passion a la early Impulse! years, not a bad place to be inspired from.
Drummer Rob Garcia brings together Noah Preminger/ts, Dan Tepfer/p and Joe Martin/b to musically explore the paintings of Impressonist artists such as Van Gogh. The gentle pulse on “The Still Standing Blues” and “The Passion of Color” display a mix of delicate bass work reminiscent of paint brush dots, creating a blue canvas, while hints of Asian light pop up along Garcia’s tom toms on “It’s Time.” Both these and other tunes also give allusions to Debussy, with lily pads of piano notes daintily float along the melody. Melancholy moods permeate “Purple Brush” while sharp angles are accentuated by Tepfer on “Lines in Impressions.” Garcia displays his communicative skills in the spotlight on “The Painter” before the album closes with a ruminating reading of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing.” Would Vince and Claude appreciate it? Foxy!
Pianist John Chin works without a net on this trio release with Orlando le Fleming/b and Dan Rieser/dr. They’ve been gigging together for years, and a project like this, recorded without arrangements or edits, can only be done by kindred spirits. They mix and match originals and covers, all sounding freswh and creative. A take of “Caravan” is intriguingly darker and thunderous than expected, whiel Wayne Shorter’s “Edda” mixes intensely intricate lines with free form frenzy. “Smile” gives hints of Debussy-esque impressionism, while John Coltrane’s “Countdown” is joyfully intertwined. Chin’s own “Seemingly” is gloriously melancholy while his title track skips gracefully, aided by Rieser’s crisp ride cymbal. The three work together like the Flying Wallendas catching each other at just the right time.
Bju Records