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Sven Anderson: Doc's Holiday
BySince his days as a student, Detroit-based Anderson has pursued a successful career during which he has performed with a wide array of well-known jazz artists. He and Tenaj have created a program, "Jazz Is ElemenTREE," that introduces the music to children in the Detroit school system through an appreciation for the world as a whole, especially the environment and their fellow human beings. Besides playing piano, Anderson composes and arranges (every selection on Doc's Holiday was co-written by Anderson and Tenaj and arranged by Anderson) and doublestriples, actuallyon organ and acoustic guitar.
Anderson's supporting cast on most numbers includes trumpeter Scott Cowan, tenor saxophonist Steve Wood (soprano on "Groove Chick," flute on "When You Sleep"), trombonist Edward Gooch, bassist John Barron and drummer Rob Emanuel. Tenaj plays electric piano on "Friends" and sings on "Doc's Holiday" and "Jobim," on which bassist Andrew Lloyd and percussionist Dennis Sheridan are added. As for the music, it is by and large funky-mod with heavy back-beats and occasional Latin grooves. While that may be underselling the complete package, it is the general impression that ensues. The last two selections, "Sir Tyner" (most likely pianist McCoy T) and "Eye Ear Toe" embody more of a straight-ahead jazz point of view, although "Eye Ear Toe" ends inexplicably in mid-note as the ensemble leads it out.
What Anderson and his ensemble do, they do well. Notwithstanding their best efforts, however, there is simply not enough weight or magnetism on Doc's Holiday to draw and hold the attention of hard-core jazz enthusiasts.
Track Listing
Friends; Doc’s Holiday; Piano Mang; Mix-a-lotta-me; John’s Big Feet; Jobim; Groove Chick; When You Sleep Do You Speak?; Sir Tyner; Eye Ear Toe.
Personnel
Sven Anderson
pianoJanet Tenaj
vocalsJohn Barron
bassDennis Sheridan
percussionRob Emanuel
drumsScott Cowan
trumpetEdward Gooch
tromboneSteve Wood
saxophone, tenorFrank Marinello
guitarEugene Zenzen
celloAndrew Lloyd
bassAdditional Instrumentation
Sven Anderson: Organ, Acoustic guitar; Janet Tenaj: piano; Chris Smith: trombone.
Album information
Title: Doc's Holiday | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Self Produced
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