P.J. Perry: Time Flies (2005)

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

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Published: November 13, 2005

Recorded live at The Cellar in Vancouver, British Columbia, Time Flies features fired-up bebop from a quintet of veteran artists who've never lost track of the designs that were given to us by pioneers such as Bird, Diz, Bud Powell, Horace Silver, and Art Blakey.

Alto saxophonist P.J. Perry drives with the spirit of Charlie Parker on both up-tempo romps and sensual ballads. His interpretations of "Tenderly" and "Warm Valley" come with heartfelt charm, while most of the album blazes fast and furious in a driving mode. Perry and Bobby Shew move light and quick, forming a cohesive session that allows them both to shine individually as well as collectively. The quintet romps with driving energy and the arrangements provide room for everyone to solo.

But it's the alto saxophone voice of P.J. Perry and the clarion trumpet calls of Bobby Shew that reach the farthest. Perry's fluid attack and confident delivery push without ever letting up. Like Bird and Diz, he and Shew push hard and drive with technical virtuosity. Bud Powell's "Tempus Fugit" features both in caricatures of foot-stompin' bebop. Gigi Gryce's "Social Call" takes them on a swinging tour of yesterday's animated antics.

While Time Flies calls up a retrospective look at tradition without approaching the progressive spirit of modern jazz, Perry's quintet gives its audience a stellar interpretation that we can appreciate for its honesty and accuracy.

Track Listing: St. Vitus' Dance; Counting Down; Melody for Thelma; Tenderly; Love Letters; Tempus Fugit; Warm Valley; Social Call; Spiral Stairway.

Personnel: P.J. Perry: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone on "Melody for Thelma"; Bobby Shew: trumpet, flugelhorn; Ross Taggart: piano; Neil Swainson, Andre LaChance: bass; Joe LaBarbera, Dave Robbins: drums.

Record Label: Justin Time Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream