Jared Sims: Hellbender: the Resistance

Saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Jared Sims has taken a bold step with his latest project. Hellbender: The Resistance, released April 7, 2023, captures Sims' desire to blend the improvisational freedom of jazz with the intense rhythms of rock. Inspired by such groundbreaking jazz albums as Steve Grossman's Some Shapes to Come (PM, 1974) and Miles Davis' On the Corner) (Columbia, 19720, Sims also weaves in the deep grooves of dub reggae and funk music.

For Hellbender: The Resistance, Sims has taken his own approach to composition, building the repertoire around beats reminiscent of Black Sabbath and his own laptop creations. The resulting sound is a daring combination that challenges the traditional head-solo-head format often used in jazz, opting instead for a more collective improvisation.

The musicians joining Sims on this project are all conservatory-trained artists who grew up listening to classic rock. The ensemble is Randy Wooten (drummer for Blue Man Group in Boston), Marc Friedman (bassist for bands such as The Slip, Natalie Merchant, and Ryan Montbleau), James Rohr (pianist for Boston's band The Blue Ribbons), Andrew Stern (guitarist with Naftule's Dream, Beat Circus, and Andrew Stern Trio), and Sims on saxophone.

Hellbender: the Resistance displays a consistent theme of genre fusion, blending the worlds of jazz, rock and other styles like funk and reggae. The opening track, "Ensuing Plight," and the second song, "Infinite Colossus," both introduce the listeners to the signature blend of rock and jazz fusion that permeates the album. Here, Sims shows off his skillful navigation of chord progressions, his solos bursting with creativity and power, building up to climactic moments that underline the motif-based approach he employs throughout the album.

"Alpha 1" and "Ground Control" offer a further twist on this fusion, adding elements of 1970s funk, hip hop and reggae to the mix. The former track marries classic rock and hard bop, creating an energetic melody that keeps listeners on their toes. The latter weaves motifs from diverse genres together, with Sims' fluid playing seamlessly tying everything together.

"Earth" and "Orbital," the two bookends of the album's middle section, showcase Sims' ability to create tension and release within his compositions. Both tracks pull elements from jazz and fusion, with "Earth" presenting a slower, harmonically rich groove, and "Orbital" offering a moody rock journey where Sims' adventurous saxophone solos shine brilliantly.

"Vertigo" stands in the middle, combining a rock riff with a soulful fusion line. Here, Sims' solo performance is a highlight, underlining his command of the saxophone and his deep understanding of the dialogue between rock and jazz.

Overall, Hellbender: the Resistance is a successful concept as it merges genres that traditionally occupy separate spaces. The fusion of jazz, rock, funk and more gives each track a distinct flavor while maintaining a cohesive album identity. By using motif-based solos, creating moments of tension and release, and experimenting with rhythmic styles, Sims crafts a unique sound that keeps listeners engaged and curious about what comes next.

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