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David Janeway: Hastings Jazz Collective/Shadow Dances
By"Blackbird," from the Beatles songbook, get its fair share of covers (drummer Tony Williams and pianist Brad Mehldau, among many others). The tune serves as the opener for Shadow Dances. This take is on the darker, more mysterious side, opening with Janeway's gorgeous, pensive piano intro. Saxophonist Tim Armacost plays the melody in straightforward fashion, with his characteristically bold, burnished tone. Earl Zinder's "How My Heart Sings," inspired in part perhaps by pianist Bill Evans' 1962 take on the tune, is a gregarious, energetic, reaching-for-the-stars rendition, with a sinuous guitar solo by Jay Azzolina. Wayne Shorter's "Edda" showcasesamong other soundsa high octane piano solo by Janeway, and, as always, a clean and seamless group dynamic.
Covers aside, the album offers up one composition per band member, as per the composers' collective mandate: drummer Ron Vincent's "Question Mark" with its hot groove momentum; bassist Harvie S's shape-shifting "Courage," guitarist Azzolina's sizzling, then ebb and flow "MEG," saxophonist Armacost's soulful funk-fest, "Blueslike," and the title tune from David Janeway's pen, an engaging composition in the finest tradition of the modern jazz genre.
Track Listing
Blackbird; How My Heart Sings; Question; Courage; Shadow Dance; Meg; Edda; Blueslike.
Personnel
David Janeway
pianoTim Armacost: saxophone; Jay Azzolina: guitar; David Janeway: piano; Harvie S: bass; Ron Vincent: drums.
Album information
Title: Hastings Jazz Collective/Shadow Dances | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: New Direction Music
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David Janeway
Album Reviews
Dan McClenaghan
Hastings Jazz Collective/Shadow Dances
New Direction Music
Tim Armacost
Wayne Shorter
Ron Vincent
Harvie S