David Bode: Good Hang

Good Hang. That is not only a good name for an album but one that depicts the luminous spirit animating a splendid debut recording by New Orleans-bred composer, arranger and saxophonist David Bode's stellar nineteen-member Crescent City-based big band. From end to end, top to bottom, stem to stern or inside out, this studio session is a Good Hang by any measure one wishes to use.

That impression is nowhere more apparent than on the opening number, John Coltrane's playful "Syeeda's Flute Song," which prances merrily along on the wings of excellent work by the ensemble, a fiery trumpet duel between Jonathan Bauer and John Zarsky, an agile soli by the saxophone section and potent ad-libbing by trombonist Jeff Albert. That is the first of nine pleasurable numbers including Bode's impressive original compositions, "Cold Train Funk" and "Temporary Blindess." A group hand-clap introduces Astor Piazzolla's melodious "Libertango," and there is more of the same on "Cold Train Funk," plus a vocal chorus on the limber finale, a tasteful blend of John Lennon/Paul McCartney's "Don't Let Me Down" and "Dear Prudence." Bode arranged every number save "Libertango," which he co-arranged with trombonist Peter Gustafson.

Clarinetist Byron Asher, trumpeter Michael Joseph Christie and trombonist Ethan Santos are the soloists on "Libertango," which leads to Bode's splendid arrangement of "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most," a heartwarming ballad encompassing perceptive statements by tenor saxophonist Ari Kohn (whose unaccompanied coda is no less than awesome) and bassist Calvin Morin-Martin. Pianist Daniel Meinecke is showcased next on Kenny Garrett's soulful "Happy People," whose sunny groove should leave many a listener tapping his or her toes.

Bode reaches into the world of rock for Jeff Buckley's "Lover, You Should Have Come Over," a lustrous and colorful anthem whose able soloists are Asher (this time on tenor sax) and trombonist Gustafson. The leader takes the first of his two excellent solo turns on "Cold Train Funk," which Bode says is an homage to three of his musical heroes: The Meters, John Coltrane and Johann Sebastian Bach (dig the clever Bach- like fugue that launches Evan Oberla's glistening trombone solo). New Orleans master drummer James Black composed the upbeat "Monkey Puzzle," on which trumpeter Kobrin, guitarist Eric Merchant and drummer Ronan Cowan share solo honors.

Bode wrote the pensive "Temporary Blindness," he says, as "a meditation on how we sometimes don't notice the things that are right in front of us." Here, those things include an enchanting melody, seductive rhythms and delightful solos by Bode and flugelhornist Matt Perronne. Speaking of delightful solos, Bode and the band may arguably have saved the best for last, as baritone saxophonist Thad Scott delivers an indelible statement on "Dear Prudence/Don't Let Me Down," after which the ensemble guides the session to its sharp and radiant conclusion.

As "good hangs" are becoming ever harder to find in these days of digital access, streaming forums and AI, the arrival of a fresh one is that much more pleasurable and welcome. David Bode and his band have offered listeners the gift of one more ride, and a good one it is, a "hang" that should ensure that its allure to big-band devotees is all but irresistible.

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