Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ben Adams Quintet: Old Thoughts For A New Day

168

Ben Adams Quintet: Old Thoughts For A New Day

By

Sign in to view read count
Ben Adams Quintet: Old Thoughts For A New Day
Ben Adams, originally from the Midwest, changed his music studies from drums to vibraphone. Later, in the mid-'90s, he studied at the Berklee School of Music with Dave Samuels, Dave Friedman and Victor Mendoza. Now based in San Francisco, the vibraphonist/composer has released a third album that displays his talents as both bandleader and writer. On his debut, The Figured Wheel, Adams explored standards and originals; on his followup album, Music For Six, he emphasized the compostions of Todd Brindley Herschberger. This new recording showcases the leader's own pieces.

The quintet features the two-horn front line of Erik Jekabson's trumpet and Mitch Marcus's tenor sax, supported by Fred Randolph's bass and Sameer Gupta's drums. The album begins deceptively with a peaceful and relaxing composition, "Avery's Bedtime Story," which allows lyrical work by Jekabson. "Convesation with Martin" is much more of a hard bop swinger which features a swaggering tenor sax from Marcus and then incisive vibes by Adams.

Adams intended "The Actual" as an homage to the writing of Wayne Shorter during his Miles Davis Quintet period, and the ensuing performance also bears a similarity to the saxophonist's days with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. The swirling rhythm affords Marcus an opportunity to show his affinity for Shorter's stylings. The title tune, a moody ballad, recalls Bobby Hutcherson's Blue Note dates, with shimmering vibes provided by Adams.

Track Listing

Avery's Bedtime Song; Conversation With Martin; Patron Saint of Lost Causes; The Actual; Sheltered Circle; Old Thoughts For A New Day; Pocket Fiction; Ghost at Infancy; Sea of Cortez.

Personnel

Ben Adams: vibraphone; Erik Jekabson: trumpet, flugelhorn; Mitch Marcus: tenor saxophone; Fred Randolph: bass; Sameer Gupta: drums.

Album information

Title: Old Thoughts For A New Day | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Lunar Module Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.