Nothing fancy, just enjoyable jazz that’s not too intellectual. Made to appeal to the feat and heart, and leave the gray matter to ECM albums.
Bassist Mike Peak leads a swinging team of Ron Kobayashi/p, Ann Patterson/fl-as, Rickey Woodard/ts, Kendall Kay/dr and vocalist Andrea Miller in a cozy and intimate concert gig. Woodard and Patterson show their chops on “Tenor Madness” while Woodard cools down as Miller delivers a moody “Angel Eyes.” The band has a fun time with “Sweet Georgia Brown” and “Just One of Those Things,” and while I’ll never understand the allure of the lyrics to “Imagine” (“Imagine there is no heaven”? what hope do you give a quadriplegic?) the joy of “Patterson and Woodard on “Fancy Pants” more than makes up for any quibble. Fun night out!
Pianist Caili O’Doherty starts with a core team of Zach Brown/b and Cory Cox/dr and then augments guitar, saxes, voices and violin on a mix and match collection of originals. A kinetic “Padme” includes rich work with the leader and Mike Bono’s guitar, while the trio bops jauntily on “89 Chestnut Street.” A prayerful “Ode to St. Johns” includes thoughtful voice by Caroline Davis” while her alto bounces well on “ Rose Baiao.” The rhythm team saunters and gallops well on “Ravine” and Ben Flock/s tenor melds well with Eric Miller’s trombone during “The Promise of Old Panama City” and the tom toming “Prayer Song.” Rich and rewarding.
If you’re a fan of Big Bad Benson, then guitarist Dr. Dave is your guy to make an appointment with. He switches partners on a collection of songs that ranges from originals to soul and a surprise or two. The does a hip R&B ish groove on Lennon and McCartney’s “Come Together” while the bass gets slapped on a funky read of Ellington’s “C Jam Blues.” Some reggae slides along on Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and a hip hop synth sounds like a Benson burner on “Cecil’s Groove.” Dr. Dave’s lines are clean, the solos are concise and logical, and he glides along the grooves on material like the smooth “Carefree” and soulful “GB Style” like a long boarder.