The Jacobs Brothers: Jazz Standard Time (2003)

Jack Bowers

Senior Contributor since 1997

A former newspaper writer / editor who has been writing about big-band Jazz for more than fifteen years.

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Published: April 2, 2003

I can provide no background on the Jacobs brothers, but I can tell you that they are an exceedingly talented trio, that their first album together was produced with no rehearsal, and that Dan — he’s the brother who plays the trumpet — has listened closely to Conte Candoli, Chet Baker, Tom Harrell, Carmell Jones and a number of others on that instrument. The fact that Jazz Standard Time is on Sea Breeze Records also speaks volumes, as Danny Beher doesn’t place his insignia on albums by any group that happens to walk in off the street.

The album is well-named, as every tune but two was taken from the Great American Songbook of standards. The exceptions are brother Chuck’s composition “Desert Sunrise,” recorded about fifteen years earlier in Hollywood with Dan on trumpet (overdubbed, we assume), accompanied by Chuck on bass, pianist John Novello and drummer Tommy Brechtlein, and Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” which at least qualifies as a jazz standard.

As one would expect, Dan is the principal soloist, with guitarist Randy Dorman having his say on most numbers and Dan’s brothers, bassist Chuck and drummer Rod, pleased for the most part to provide the rhythmic backdrop with percussionists Brian Kilgore and Pat Freer. Dan plays open most of the way, muted on a mellow reading of “Old Folks,” which precedes the album’s only detour from the beaten path, a funky look at Cole Porter’s “Love for Sale.” Although well-written, the “bonus” track, “Desert Sunrise,” is less a bonus than it might have been owing to excessive reverb that disfigures Dan’s trumpet(s) and Novello’s electric piano. But as it is placed last, one can easily disregard it. The rest of the album is cheerful and inviting, with well-drawn solos by Dan and Dorman and reliable support from the others.

Hardly a threat to the Joneses (Thad, Hank, Elvin) or the Heaths (Jimmy, Percy, Albert) but admirable enough on its own terms to please many of those who are partial to straight-ahead jazz.

Contact: Sea Breeze Records, P.O. Box 1910, Pismo Beach, CA 93448–1910. Phone 818– 489–2055.

Track Listing: Summertime; Falling in Love with Love; Can

Personnel: Dan Jacobs, trumpet, flugelhorn; Randy Dorman, guitar; John Novello (11), piano; Chuck Jacobs, bass; Rod Jacobs, Tommy Brechtlein (11), drums; Brian Kilgore, Pat Freer, percussion.

Record Label: Sea Breeze Jazz
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream