Jacob Fischer shows that you don’t need to play the electric guitar to be electrifying, as he lithely swings with Chuck Redd/vib, John Webber/b and Matt Wilson/dr through a rich mix of material. Vibes and strings coalesce in a loving way during the openings of “Tenderly” and “A Nightingale Sang…” while Fischer shows his lyrical chops on “Swing 42” and “Avalon.” Redd’s mallets bounce delightfully on “Laverne Walk” while the whole team delivers a clever gait on “Puttin’ On the Ritz.” The ability to show technique without going overboard is a lost art, but Fischer shows the patience of a fly fisherman as he pulls the strings just right on this rewarding set.
Arbors Records