Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Gene Ess: A Thousand Summers
Gene Ess: A Thousand Summers
ByEss, pianist James Weidman, drummer Gene Jackson and bassist Thomson Kneeland provide their share of solo moments while supporting Parrott. As Ess himself affirms, old habits are hard to break; though this disc may be categorized as a vocals project, Ess and his quartet provide the meat of the music. The Rodgers and Hart standard, "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," opens the record with a few light chords from Weidman, setting up Parrott's introduction and the beginning of her lyrical statement. Eventually, she turns it over to the guitarist and the rest of the band for several minutes of instrumental music, a template that is followed throughout the recording.
Kneeland's arrangement of Cole Porter's "So in Love" is certainly one of the feature highlights, containing excellent riffs from the leader along with bright moments from the pianist. The Mancini/Mercer classic, "Charade," is almost unrecognizable at first, but after Parrott's entrance the melody comes into play ever so slightly. "East of the Sun" stays true to course, developing quite nicely on the wings of Ess' lofty chord play. Though the great Frank Sinatra made "All or Nothing at All" one of his most memorable tunes, Parrott and Ess perform it masterfully here, giving the piece the respect it is due.
Weidman takes the spot light with a dazzling solo performance on the Thelonious Monk chart, "Looking Back (Reflections)," with support from Kneeland's strong bass line and the singer's warm approach to the music. "The Old Country," "Goodbye" and Michel Legrand's immortal "I Will Wait for You" round out A Thousand Summers, completing the guitarist's first foray into the realm of jazz standards and vocals. After this delightful experience, Ess may well include something similar in future projects.
Track Listing
I Didn't Know What Time It Was; One Day I'll Fly Away; So in Love; The Old Country; Charade; East of the Sun; Looking Back (Reflections); All or Nothing at All; Goodbye; I Will Wait for You.
Personnel
Gene Ess
guitarGene Ess: guitar; James Weidman: piano; Thomson Kneeland: bass; Gene Jackson: drums; Nicki Parrott: vocals.
Album information
Title: A Thousand Summers | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: SIMP Records