Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Eijiro Nakagawa & Jim Pugh: E 'n J -- Legend and Lion

230

Eijiro Nakagawa & Jim Pugh: E 'n J -- Legend and Lion

By

Sign in to view read count
Eijiro Nakagawa & Jim Pugh: E 'n J -- Legend and Lion
Is New York the Mecca of jazz? Well, some would believe so. It was the meeting place for two trombonists, Jim Pugh and Eijiro Nakagawa, the latter a young player from Japan, the former a well-known American veteran. The two trombonists found common ground and recorded this album with a band that fits them like a glove. The music paves happy trails for the listener.

Pugh and Nakagawa combine well. In tandem, their lines flow smooth and easy. When soloing, each takes a different tack. Pugh is smooth and glides with a certain grace; Nakagawa is more pronounced and earthy, with a coiled but nevertheless tensile approach, making him a talent to watch.

The trombones get off with a fleeting nod to "Blue Rondo A La Turk" before settling into the Latin groove of "Leave it to Beaver." The beat is radiant and sunny, injected by Pugh and Nakagawa with just a hint of tension, keeping it interestingly taut before Andy Ezrin expands the parameters with a romping turn on the piano. Both trombonists taking the fine swinging tune "Slidework in A Flat" to the hilt, keeping the pulse exciting and pushing the edge without overwhelming it.

They can also play a slow tune with emotional impact, like "Someday My Prince Will Come." Pugh and Nakagawa set warm ensemble lines, then move into a domain of their own, treading a gentle path into the nuances to filter the depth of the song. Their lines criss-cross, bringing in a hymnal quality; a gentle passion ripples through to invest a distinct voicing.

Track Listing

Blue Rondo A La Turk; Leave it to Beaver; Scramble; Slidework in A Flat; Chelsea Bridge; Amblin'; Jimmy Jam; Jank; Someday My Prince Will Come; There is no Greater Love; Snuffle; Bolivia.

Personnel

Jim Pugh
trombone

Eijiro Nakagawa: trombone; Jim Pugh: trombone; Andy Ezrin: piano; John Patitucci: bass; John Riley: drums.

Album information

Title: E 'n J -- Legend and Lion | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Superkids

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.