Bopping trumpeter Joe Mazzaferro brings together an all star collection of guests Carl Allen/dr, Jeff Clayton/as and Donald Brown/p along with his regular team of Brenden Lowe/p, Tim Metz/dr, Chris Amberger/b and assorted cameos on this swinging barn burner. The horns are bright and sharp, as the team snaps to attention on the title track as Clayton’s palpable alto sears through the choruses. The soulful “’E’ for Eleanora” has the leader glistening on the horn while Lowe is rich and bluesy. The team lurks through a moody “Dark Heart Beat” while Clayton fills the room with a bel canto ballad, crying on “For Cherylyn & Josh.” Mazzaferro displays his elegance with Brown on the classy “Holding Hands” while the horns join together at the hip for the autumnal “Even When.” Vintage hard bop with maturity.
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