Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Sardonics: The Sardonics EP

The Sardonics: The Sardonics EP

By Todd S. Jenkins
January 1, 2001
Sign in to view read count

I am evermore bummed that this is an EP instead of a full-length album. The Sardonics certainly know how to have fun while churning out high-quality jazz. The band formed in Sacramento, CA in the Fall of ’99, the members having worked together in several other area outfits. They’re one of the few jazz bands in town that make some joyful noise beyond the usual pop/hotel jazz. This disc blends soul, blues, funk and serious post-bop attitude with liberal sprinklings of wit and some delightful surprises.

All of the players are notably skilled and work together commendably. When tenor man Aaron Thurman isn’t bopping firmly in the pocket, he pokes well-intentioned fun at our expectations of saxophonists. Guitarist Ross Hammond uses a wealth of timbres to paint his soundscapes: a little bluesiness here, a little Wes tone there, a wee splat of avant. Bassist Aaron Weiss’ vamps and walking lines are tight and lively inside and out. He’s the oil that lubes the eight-cylinder engine of drummer Todd Temby (leader of local funk favorites Budj Beatkus). The four original tunes here, created by group effort, could hold their own against most anything on today’s mainstream jazz market. I'm told that the band recently added a rendition of John Coltrane's Mr. P.C> to newer editions of the EP, something I would love to hear them tackle.

To sum up, The Sardonics are one of the best up-and-coming bands I’ve heard this year, bar none. I steadfastly recommend this disc and look forward to more delights from them in the future.

(For more information about The Sardonics and this disc, please contact the band at [email protected].)

Track Listing

Scared Stiff; Ruby vs. Planet of the Apes; Nana

Personnel

The Sardonics

Aaron Thurman, tenor sax; Ross Hammond, guitar; Aaron Weiss, bass; Todd Temby, drums.

Album information

Title: The Sardonics EP | Year Released: 2001

< Previous
2000 Rewind

Next >
Nocturnal

Comments

About The Sardonics

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.