Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Bob Kase: A Weaver of Dreams

108

Bob Kase: A Weaver of Dreams

By

View read count
Bob Kase: A Weaver of Dreams
Listening to trumpeter Bob Kase I’m reminded of Bobby Shew. Like Bobby, the tone on trumpet or flugel is bright and clear, the range exceptional, the chops razor–keen and equal to any task. Shew, of course, is much better known, but that’s to be expected when one’s career path leads him to big bands, studio work and honors as a sought–after soloist, as Bobby’s has, rather than the far less visible world of academia, in which Kase has invested much of his time, most recently as director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. But within the heart of most music teachers lies the burning desire to play, to show the world that their knowledge and ability aren’t confined to textbooks and diagrams. On Weaver of Dreams, Kase not only shows that he’s a player with superior perception and technique but a first–rate composer as well. Seven of the eight songs on this debut album are his; the lone exception (a wonderful choice, by the way) is the title selection by Victor Young. Kase opens with a whimsical answer to Monk’s “Well You Needn’t” entitled “You Shouldn’t Have,” trades Dizzy’s “Salted” brand for some “Fresh Peanuts,” coaxes “Miles and Miles” of charm from a harmonically rich blues, “Wales” when necessary, is too busy busting his chops to worry about “Burnt Toast,” enlivens his “Blues for Harry” and ends, appropriately, with a lovely “Song” (accompanied only by bassist Rotaru). Along the way, Kase does about everything a seasoned trumpeter should do, leaving almost no phrase or facet unbound. If his colleagues are less successful, it’s only by comparison. Greiner, who has recorded at least once with his own ensemble, is workmanlike but unexceptional, a description that applies as well to pianist Buchman. Rotaru and Korb simply keep time, and do so respectably. Kase is the drawing card here, and it is his remarkable proficiency that carries the day.

Contact: Altenburgh Jazz, P.O. Box 154, Mosinee, WI 54455 (715–693–2230).

Track listing: You Shouldn’t Have; A Weaver of Dreams; Fresh Peanuts; Miles and Miles; Wales; Burnt Toast; Blues for Harry; Song (62:54).

Personnel
Bob Kase
 

Bob Kase, trumpet, flugelhorn; John Greiner, saxophones; Mathew Buchman, piano; Catalin Rotaru, bass; Ryan Korb, drums.

Album information

Title: A Weaver of Dreams | Year Released: 1998 | Record Label: Altenburgh Jazz

Tags

Bob Kase CD/LP/Track Review Jack Bowers Altenburgh Jazz United States A Weaver of Dreams

Comments

About Bob Kase

Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar

PREVIOUS / NEXT



Support All About Jazz

Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Big Band Bass
Big Band Bass
WDR Big Band featuring John Goldsby and Bob...
Extended Daydream
Extended Daydream
Lisa Hilton
Bold As Love ( 4CD + Blu-ray)
Bold As Love ( 4CD + Blu-ray)
Jimi Hendrix
More Than You Know (1981)
More Than You Know (1981)
Dexter Gordon

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.

Install All About Jazz

iOS Instructions:

To install this app, follow these steps:

  • Tap the share button (the square icon with the up arrow) in the tab bar below.
  • Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen.

All About Jazz would like to send you notifications

Notifications include timely alerts to content of interest, such as articles, reviews, new features, and more. These can be configured in Settings.