Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Andrew White Band: Signal

Andrew White Band: Signal

By Dave Nathan
February 1, 2001
Sign in to view read count

tunes, mostly originals by leader and drummer Andre White. White is a well known figure on Canada's jazz education and performance scenes. Living in Montreal most of his life he teaches jazz studies at McGill University. His performing credits are just that, very credible. He's worked with many top jazz artists from both Canada and the US and was a member of progressive jazz guitarist Sonny Greenwich's group Panache. White is also a producer of some renown having been involved in the development of more than 30 releases.

The music on this album is hard bop at its most intense and exciting. The playing runs the gamut from dissonant musical travels on "By Invitation Only" to out and out swinging on "Farnsworth". In between we get treated to soulful romanticism as on "Goodbye Glen" and "The Saddest Waltz". "Monderful", a tribute to guitarist Ben Monder, is the closest it gets to straight ahead jazz featuring, naturally, Monder's swinging, clean lined guitar. The fine bassist Neil Swainson is allowed considerable solo time on this cut. Leader White is not satisfied to be a complacent, time keeping member of the rhythm section as he takes an active Elvin Jones like role in the proceedings with drum rolls, rim shots and other percussive devices to let you know he is there. But it is tenor man Kirk MacDonald, with whom White has recorded before, who is the major protagonist on this set. His is a saxophone clearly influenced by the Charlie Parker and the John Coltrane saxophone movements. He has that biting, intense tone that is the signature of this clan of saxophone players and it is apparent on both the up tempo and ballad pieces.

The country to the North continues to be a major source for fine jazz and Cornerstone Records should be applauded for recording the innovative work of this group. Highly recommended.

Track Listing

Farnsworth; Black Bend; Captain Kirk; The Saddest Waltz; By Invitation Only; Monderful; Goodbye Glen; Signal

Personnel

Andrew White

saxophone

Andr

Album information

Title: Signal | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Cornerstone

< Previous
Dem Bones

Next >
Dot Com Blues

Comments

About Andrew White

Instrument: Saxophone

Tags

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.