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David Whitman: Ode To Joe
ByWhitman and trumpeter Andrew Neesley share composer credits, and Neesley handles the arrangements, awakening warm memories of the Golden Age of Blue Note, Prestige and Verve Records well over half a century ago, a time in which Joe Henderson and other jazz giants redefined the genre and enriched its vocabulary. Hard-edged swing takes center stage on every number save the last, "With Love," a handsome ballad by Whitman and the only tune on which he replaces his sticks with brushes, underlining earnest solos by Sheppard, Montgomery and pianist Geoffrey Keezer.
Elsewhere, as noted, the ensemble sprints and shouts, starting with the lively and tasteful "Time Out" (with solos to match by Forman, Sheppard and Keezer). "Bop This," another bow to jazz's storied heyday, swings smartly along behind ardent solos by Keezer, Forman, Lockart, Neesley (muted) and trombonist Ryan Dragon. Whitman solos here, as elsewhere, but none of his solos is noted. "Home," in this case, simply has to be New Orleans, as no groove or temper, no matter how well-meant, can measure up to that of the Crescent City. As an aside, the melody on "Home" has more than a passing resemblance to the nursery rhyme "Three Blind Mice." Solos are by Dragon, Neesley and Keezer.
Sheppard is showcased on "Ode to Joe," yet another fiery flag-waver, as is Neesley's stalwart "Nees Plees," a fast-paced salute to saxophonist Benny Golson whose nimble solos are delivered by Neesley, Dragon and Keezer. Ode to Joe (which, by the way, is dedicated to the memory of another legendary drummer, the late Joe Morello) is a laudable session, one whose respectable grade would be higher were there more music to appraise.
Track Listing
Time Out; Bop This; Home; Ode to Joe; Ness Please; With Love.
Personnel
David Whitman
drumsBob Sheppard
saxophone, tenorRob Lockart
clarinetAndrew Neesley
trumpetRyan Dragon
tromboneGeoffrey Keezer
keyboardsBruce Forman
guitarChris Montgomery
guitarRob Thorsen
bassAlbum information
Title: Ode To Joe | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Shifting Paradigm Records
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David Whitman
Album Review
Jack Bowers
Ode To Joe
Shifting Paradigm Records
Bob Sheppard
Rob Lockart
bruce forman
Chris Montgomery
Andrew Neesley
Joe Henderson
Geoffrey Keezer
Ryan Dragon
benny golson
Joe Morello