Colin Trusedell: It’s All About the Hustle

Bassist Colin Trusedell is making quite the name for himself. His previous recordings, Colin Trusedell Trio: Some Of My Best Friends Are... Divas (Self Produced, 2013) and Colin Trusedell: Quartet Of Jazz Death (Self Produced, 2014) were well received within these electronic pages. The former was a most excellent acoustic affair featuring some of Trusedell's singing colleagues from the US Air Force. The latter is an electric smorgasbord showing that Trusedell is capable of ramping up the funk as in cooling down the standards.

Trusedell opts for the traditional jazz trio approach on It's All About the Hustle, an assembly of 10 original compositions that swing right down the middle of the mainstream. On the eclectic "2:15 Blues," Trusedell sets a brisk pace for the band over a clever 12-bar statement. Pianist Shawn Hanlon demonstrates both fists of his muscular and precise playing. Trusedell allows himself plenty of time for an elastic pizzacatto solo that walks right out the door. Drummer Paul Shaw trades eights with Hanlon in a by-the-book blowing- session blues. Grace and sophistication.