Jazz Articles about Mercedes Beckman

Ian Wardenski: Trust

by Geannine Reid
November 10, 2022

Ian Wardenski's Quintet returns with a follow-up to Collective Thoughts (IW, 2019). The innovative bandleader and guitarist continues to create a sound that combines the aesthetics of a chamber group with the freedom, spontaneity and improvisation of a small jazz combo. Trust features Mercedes Beckman on alto saxophone, Jerry Ascione, piano, Amy Shook, bass, Frank Russo, drums, and Tamara Tucker, voice. Wardenski furthers his collective sound by combining Tucker's agile wordless vocals with his guitar for a distinctive ...