Wycliffe Gordon / Jay Leonhart: This Rhythm On My Mind (2007)

Budd Kopman

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2004

Jazz musicians are magicians and Jazz is the spell they cast

Recent articles (443 total)

Published: March 12, 2007

Wycliffe Gordon / Jay Leonhart: This Rhythm On My Mind

Sometimes jazz as art does not have to solve the world's problems, just bring a bit of joy to an otherwise tired and dismayed soul, especially in this day and age. This Rhythm On My Mind—an antidote to the mundane and the depressing—accomplishes just that, but instead of using, say, energy to conquer the blues, it blows fresh air and spreads sunshine.

Comparing trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, who also plays tuba and didjeridoo, to Louis Armstrong is a no-brainer, since he exudes the same good-natured vibe, but also add the same grit and vocalisms that Satchmo was known for. Bassist Jay Leonhart plays the happiest bass on the planet and (it seems) that he really can sing and play at the same time, both following his own lines and the melody.

Of the thirteen tunes, four are Gordon originals, six are originals from Leonhart, and the remaining three comprise two warhorses ("Mood Indigo" and "Lester Leaps In") and an unusual choice in "Eddie Harris (Freedom Jazz Dance)," on which the didjeridoo appears. Tenorist Wayne Escoffery also appears on the latter tune, while Harry Allen's tenor sax enlivens "Lester Leaps In" and Jim Saporito adds percussion to "Little Henry."

Gordon and Leonhart's extreme professionalism, compatibility and sheer good nature win the day on this release—so much so that the lack of instrumentation is not apparent. Plus, both men can sing very, very well.

The fact that the Eddie Harris tune (with lyrics by Leonhart) is positioned in the middle of the album is interesting, since this track is the most complicated, and hence arguably the most interesting. The music comes out of left field and is completely surprising and refreshing.

Good music, good times... enjoy!

Visit Wycliffe Gordon and Jay Leonhart on the web.

Track Listing: Rhythm On My Mind; Problem; I Want My Blooz Back; Mr Leonhart Mr.Gordon; Mood Indigo; Eddie Harris (Freedom Jazz Dance); Missin RB Blues; Lester Leaps In; All Alone; Little Henry; Lucky Day; Home For Supper.

Personnel: Wycliffe Gordon: trombone, tuba, vocals, didjeridu; Jay Leonhart: bass, vocals; Jim Saporito: percussion (11); Henry Allen: tenor sax (9); Wayne Escoffery: tenor sax (7).

Record Label: Bluesback Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream

Shop for jazz:

Wycliffe Gordon Related

View more Wycliffe Gordon photos | Upload Wycliffe Gordon photos

Date	Venue	Tickets
May28	Louis Armstrong Legacy Program Chicago, IL
May29	Louis Armstrong Legacy Program Chicago, IL
Jun01	Brass Band of Battle Creek Tour Battle Creek, MI
Jun03	Yoshi's Oakland Oakland, CA	buy
Jun07	Great American Brass Band Festival Danville, VA
Jun08	Great American Brass Band Festival Danville, VA
Jun09	Great American Brass Band Festival Danville, VA
Jun24	Mnozil Brass Vienna,
Jun25	Mnozil Brass Vienna,
Jun28	Vail Jazz Festival Vail, CO	buy
Jun29	International Trombone Festival Columbus, GA
Jul05	Centro Cultural Roberto Cantoral Mexico City,
Jul08	Straight Ahead Jazz Camp Chicago, IL
Jul09	Straight Ahead Jazz Camp Chicago, IL
Jul10	Straight Ahead Jazz Camp Chicago, IL
Jul11	Straight Ahead Jazz Camp Chicago, IL
Jul13	Jazz Tage Lenk 2013 Lenk,
Jul21	Banff Summer Music Festival Alberta,
Jul22	Centrum Jazz Port Townsend Port Townsend, WA
Jul23	Centrum Jazz Port Townsend Port Townsend, WA
Jul24	Centrum Jazz Port Townsend Port Townsend, WA
Jul25	Centrum Jazz Port Townsend Port Townsend, WA
Jul26	Centrum Jazz Port Townsend Port Townsend, WA
Jul27	Centrum Jazz Port Townsend Port Townsend, WA
Aug02	Satchmo Summerfest New Orleans, LA
Aug03	Satchmo Summerfest New Orleans, LA
Aug04	Satchmo Summerfest New Orleans, LA
Aug17	Southern Tier Jazz Festival Horseheads, NY
Sep11	Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa Newport Beach, CA