CD/LP/Track Review
Eric Bolvin: Eric Bolvin's Quorum (2003)
Trevor MacLaren
Trevor's life long obsession with music has led to jazz at 3AM and room full of worn out vinyl
Quorum is an unassuming knockout from the start! Bolvin is one hot player, drawing from the inspiration of the trumpet's masters and turning it into his own sound. In fact, Bolvin has a sound to which many players aspire; and he is a forthright bandleader, composer and arranger. His arrangement of Billy Strayhorn's "Chelsea Bridge" is a masterful example of this.
But to pull off such feats, a man is not a band onto himself (unless he's Stevie Wonder). That point is well proven with the selection of top-notch players on Quorum. As a bandleader, Bolvin gives them an open floor to rip. The players cut some tasty blazes all over this disc that come from all angles. The ensemble features Bay area players Ken Harrill on guitar, Tom Politzer on tenor sax and Dan Robbins on bass.
Throughout the disc Bolvin straddles a thin line somewhere between cool and smooth. He and his comrades can layout a smooth ride on "Tribute 2001," before jumping into a cool/bop groove on "Pindrop." It makes for an eclectic listen that takes the gentle, laid back groove of smooth and knocks it around some funky and snappy beats. Tasteful and beautifully arranged, Bolvin and crew have recorded one hell of an inspired disc.
Track Listing: 1. Three Thing 2. Hey Jude 3. Tribute 2001 4. Pindrop 5. Places 6. Bridge By Candlelight 7. Chelsea Bridge 8. The Fly 9. Ballad Of Bear 10. Circles
Personnel: Eric Bolvin - trumpet and flugelhorn; Joe Heinemann - piano; Dan Robbins - bass; Ken Harrill - guitar; Peter Booras - drums; Tom Politzer - tenor sax; Noel Melanio - piano; Chris Miller - drums; Mark Gelfand - keyboards; Joseph Devito - bass
Record Label: EBjazz Records | Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream
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