Joe Magnarelli: Decidedly so

Joe Magnarelli's Decidedly So strongly reaffirms the enduring virtues of straight-ahead jazz, recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's Studio in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, where these qualities have long been valued. Brought to life in March 2025 before a small but attentive audience, the session benefits from a rare blend of relaxed confidence and deliberate swing that can only come from musicians who know exactly who they are and what they cherish. Joined by trombonist Steve Davis and a top-tier rhythm section of pianist Jeremy Manasia, bassist Clovis Nicolas, and drummer Rodney Green, Magnarelli leads a programme that balances originals and standards with taste, authority, and an effortless sense of joy.

The opening track, Magnarelli's "D.J.," features a lively rhythmic figure that distinctly echoes the hard bop style of the mid-1950s. Magnarelli's playing remains steady and clear, while Davis responds with his signature powerful lyricism. The rhythm section brims with energy as Manasia makes a striking statement with intense force, and Green demonstrates his quick, agile playing. Davis' titled composition "Decidedly So" is played at a medium tempo and presents a charming, thoughtfully balanced dialogue between the horns. Magnarelli and Davis seamlessly blend and separate with ease. Manasia and Nicolas provide interjections that are harmonically sharp and rhythmically grounded, always serving the tune.

The Richard Rodgers waltz, "This Nearly Was Mine," features Magnarelli switching to flugelhorn. The change in timbre instantly shifts the emotional register. His tone is warm, patient, and quietly expressive, favoring long, flowing lines over showiness. Manasia responds with rippling right-hand lines, leading into an expressive passage from Davis. Nicolas anchors the waltz with grace, energy, and emotion. The mood shifts subtly with Sigmund Romberg's "When I Grow Too Old To Dream," played at a gently propulsive tempo that never slips into sentimentality. Magnarelli and Davis take turns developing the theme with quiet affection before embarking on their solo improvisations, which unfold naturally in rich, eloquent voices. Manasia again demonstrates his talent for shaping melodic ideas that sound inevitable rather than forced. Nicholas continues to show that he is a versatile and powerful bassist.

The set concludes with Magnarelli's "Jimmy's Blues," a lively, straightforward tune that brings the session full circle. Fully grounded in the blues tradition, Magnarelli and Davis dive into the piece with rich, substantial jazz language. Manasia covers the keys with grit and sophistication while providing rhythmic comping. Nicolas solos with confidence, and Green drives the band assertively without sacrificing clarity. Overall, this is a session that values swing, melody, and substance, decidedly so.

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