Alexander Claffy: Alive in Philadelphia, Vol. 1 (At Chris’ Jazz Cafe)

Bassist Alexander Claffy, a pillar on the New York City jazz scene since 2011, returned "home" in March 2025 to record Alive in Philadelphia Vol. 1 for an enthusiastic audience at Chris' Jazz Club, on whose stage he had performed since he was a teenager in the City of Brotherly Live.

He did not return alone, bringing with him an able supporting cast that included a pair of well-respected saxophonists, alto Jaleel Shaw (another Philadelphian) and tenor Seamus Blake, pianist Kevin Hays and drummer Bill Stewart. Presumably, Claffy drew up the eight-number playlist to showcase him and his teammates in the best possible light, a blueprint that no doubt looked great on paper. In practice, rather less so.

The shortcomings start with the opening number, George Shearing's "She," whose main soloist, Shaw, begins his soliloquy with promise, only to descend into a series of largely banal and meaningless phrases laden with displeasing squeaks, squawks and over- the-top embellishments. And that is more or less the problem elsewhere—at least on the more rapid numbers: Stewart's "7.5," Skip James' "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues," John Coltrane's "Just for the Love." Despite their impressive credentials, neither Shaw nor Blake seems able to temper his solos with circumspection or finesse. Simply blowing as many notes as possible is not enough to cut the mustard, even though the audience shouts its approval.

The slower numbers are more congenial, with Hays in topnotch form on the Mario Lanza favorite, "Be My Love," everyone suitably calm and focused on Vincent Youmans' "Without a Song" (wherein Blake's extended solo is free from any needless grandstanding), Stewart resonant and well-spoken on his brief "Bass Introduction." Wayne Shorter's minor-key "Oriental Folk Song" (with relatively placid solos by Shaw and Blake) completes the program. Clarity and balance are quite good for a concert session.

Evidently, Claffy and his teammates gave the audience what it came for. Whether that wears well with repeated listening is a matter of opinion. In any case, there should be more to come, as this is billed as  Vol. 1, and the inside jacket includes photos of the musicians, including trumpeter Sean Jones, who does not perform on this volume (wherein his presence could have made a significant impact). As is, a good concert date that was more than likely better seen as well as heard.