Matt Dwonszyk: Donny Time: The Music of Don DePalma

Bassist, composer and educator Matt Dwonszyk, based in New York City since 2023, is actually from Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and for some time was part of the Hartford jazz scene, where he taught and performed with the late pianist and educator Don DePalma. DePalma was a legend of that scene, playing a vital role in its development and becoming a co-founder of the legendary 880 Club. Dwonszyk and friends pay tribute to DePalma on the outstanding Donny Time: The Music of Don DePalma, showcasing many original compositions recorded with some of the musicians with whom he often performed. While the majority of the album was recorded after DePalma's passing in 2021 from COVID, there are several tracks recorded in 2011 and 2012, which feature DePalma on piano and keyboards.

It was trombonist Rosie Roy who actually birthed the idea of the homage album and asked Dwonszyk to lead the effort, further assuring that all of the proceeds would go to the DePalma Roy Scholarship Fund in memory of the pianist. Roy and the bassist are listed as co-producers of the album.

The repertoire notes sixteen tracks, which include five tunes of less than two-minutes in duration, leaving eleven superb tunes with plenty of musical meat to chew on. The music opens up with the maestro himself on piano on the introduction to his version of "Softly as in A Morning Sunrise," featuring renowned trombonist Steve Davis, tenor saxophonist Kris Jensen and guitarist Tony Davis on excellent solos. This is followed by "It's Donny Time," the title track and one of the highlights of the recording. "Summer" and "Old Man" are brief snippets, with vocalist Linda Ransom as the featured artist.

The original "Groovin' On Wine" is a simmering piece performed by the band without the pianist but with a lot of spice from percussionist Nelson Bello and more of the trombone voice from either Davis or Roy; another burner of a tune. The very lively "It's About Time" leaves no doubt the time has indeed come. Added percussion, shaker and a bit more trombone and saxophone make this brief but vibrant number another delight of the recording. DePalma returns on a short version of the standard "What a Difference a Day Makes," highlighted by the reaching vocals of Ransom. The lady returns on "The More I See You," played slow and mellow as Ransom lets her emotions and passion speak for her on the only ballad of the set. There are several additional wonderful tunes to savor with "Tones for Rose Bones," and "Donny's Blues" capturing the best of the remaining session.

Dwonszyk and friends craft a highly desirable tribute to a memorable member of the Hartford jazz movement in an unforgettable documentation of his work. Donny Time: The Music of Don DePalma is sure to cement the legacy of a modern-day jazz legend and help foster students and budding jazz stars of the future. That alone is a worthy cause for this album.