Nicole Johanntgen: HENRY

Alto saxist Nicole Johanntgen brings together a light-on-its-feet team of Jon Ramm/tb, Steven Glenn/sous, and Paul Thibodeaux/dr for some Swiss interpretations of vintage New Orleans sounds. The originals are fresh and frisky, with Glenn’s sousaphone holding down the bottom while Johanntgen and Ramm have fun on the street fest title track and the partying “Take the Steam train.” The horns stagger to Thibodeaux’s sticks like a night out on Bourbon street during “Oh Yes, My Friend,” while the rhythm gets nimble on “Nola.” Deeper moods are delivered on the funereal “Slowly” and dirge-like “They Missed Love,” with nary a  hint of imitation, but rather capturing the mood of the origins of jazz.

www.nicolejohanntgen.com

Leave a Reply