Neil Gray: In the Streets

Saxophonist Cory Weeds, ever the entrepreneur, has never been one to let a clear opportunity raise his antenna without a response. When Weeds spots a promising jazz musician—especially one from his native Canada—he has been known to make the sort of proposal that is all but impossible to refuse. For example, Weeds may say he will produce the artist's next album, provide a recording venue, release the finished product on his Cellar Music Group label and even join the ensemble on tenor sax!



Drummer Neil Gray—who hails from Vancouver, British Columbia—could not say no to an offer like that, and so as one of several positive outcomes, Weeds became a key member of Gray's quintet on In the Streets, an ardent "love letter" to Gray's hometown that encompasses seven of his sunny and swinging bop-centered compositions and the enduring Cole Porter standard, "Night and Day," the last sung and scatted by special guest Leila Naderi.



To be clear, Weeds did not simply talk his way into the group; his strong and expressive tenor would be a welcome addition to any session surveying contemporary jazz, and Gray was no doubt delighted to welcome him aboard. On In the Streets, Weeds shares lyric duties with the clever and perceptive trumpeter Julian Borkowski, fronting a rhythm section anchored by Gray and including pianist Bruno Herbert and bassist Conrad Good.



Weeds' solos are invariably sharp and well-designed, as are Borkowski's, while Herbert gives the ensemble a third astute and eloquent phrase-maker. In addition to his role as steady timekeeper and occasional soloist, Gray is a splendid writer, as he shows on his charming and colorful compositions, especially "Frankie's Ghost, "For Those in the Back," the rhythmic "Latin Fiasco" and dead-on "Shotgun Blues." The others—"It Wasn't Was It," "Somewhere" and "Seymour Street Shuffle"—are no more than a step or so removed, and each one has more than its share of pleasurable touches.



In the Streets would be a stalwart session even without Weeds; with him, it is even stronger and more impressive. For those who love contemporary bop the way it should be played, a vibrant storehouse of riches.