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Mark Small: One Day
BySmall is no novice, having amassed an impressive musical background that includes performing with the Village Vanguard Orchestra and as a sideman with the likes of John McNeil, Martin Bejerano, Ignacio Berroa, Nicole Henry and many others. However, it may have been his touring experience with the Michael Buble band that cemented his name as a musician of note through his arrangements and compositions, as well as his skills on the saxophones and clarinet.
Having performed with so many musicians over the years, Small decided to record in a trio format, calling upon two friends he had not played with in some time. Reuniting with leading bassist and fellow educator Matt Brewer and drummer Damion Reid, better known as "controlled fury" by critics, this saxophone trio seems the perfect vehicle to interpret the range of styles Small explores on this project.
Opening up on the blues-styled "Sonny," perhaps a tribute to Sonny Rollins, the band plays it free-style, with each member taking separate solo moments as the Bill Frisell-tinged "Tumbleweed" occupies a more mellow spot on the session. More of the free-style comes across on the ECM- inspired "Charmer," with Small's tenor voice being the most pronounced.
While each composition here reveals elements particular to that tune, the stories they tell are as different as night and day, as evidenced by the sharp "GeeZee," and the lighter and slower-tempo of "Local Color," both driving in different, musically-challenging directions.
What makes performing with a trio more preferable than being a part of a larger ensemble is that with only three players, each instrument plays an equally important part in the music which comes through loud and clear on this recording. Captured here are the sounds of a howling saxophone, a powerful bass and a pounding drum set showcasing a cohesive band of brothers.
Mark Small's One Day succeeds on many fronts, from fulfilling a dream to making a fine musical statement. However, what may be perhaps more significant is a well-deserved recognition of a talented composer and skillful reed player the jazz world will surely hear from often.
Track Listing
Sonny; Tumbleweed; The Charmer; Persephone; GeeZee; Local Color; Conflict of Interest; UP.
Personnel
Album information
Title: One Day | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Self Produced
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About Mark Small
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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Mark Small
Album Review
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One Day
Self Produced
John McNeil
Martin Bejerano
Ignacio Berroa
Nicole Henry
Michael Buble
Matt Brewer
Damion Reid
Sonny Rollins
Bill Frisell
Concerts
May
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