Chris West: The Surprise Trilogy: Disc 1

The first of the 3-CD Surprise Trilogy, by saxophonist Chris West, reasserts that Nashville is not all about country and roots music. Indeed, Nashville plays host to an aggregation of top-flight session artists who need to be adept, multifunctional, and armed with a broad range of musicality. Consequently, West has cut his teeth with eminent artists such as bassist Victor Wooten, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and pianist Kenny Werner.

West's soul-drenched modern mainstream jazz arrangements are augmented by ample amounts of pop and sizzle. He possesses a full-bodied tone and whirls through bop, swing and funky New Orleans-based second-line motifs, conveying a level of maturity beyond his years and proving to be an ardent improviser throughout the invigorating festivities.

With a few tender moments amid the customary peaks and valleys, West often alters the various pulses and dynamics via graduating thematic shifts. His bluesy and somewhat rugged intonations spawn a congenial edge atop the fluent choruses and punchy accents, including eminent saxophonist Jeff Coffin, who appears on the tuneful "Mr. Grossman."

"Bits & Pieces" highlights guitarist Pat Bergeson's soul-jazz solo spot to round out a sprightly medium tempo swing vamp, touched with a melodic hook, while "Truth" features layered sax parts and a brisk Afro-Cuban metric amid guitarist Adam Agati's dark-toned and crystalline lines. West zooms in for the kill via a climactic delivery, spotted with spunky phrasings and a commanding line of attack.

West and his special guests reaffirm a budding and sometimes underemphasized jazz network in Nashville. Besides its resident session musicians spanning most genres, Nashville (aka Music City) is a pivotal artistic community. West shines as a young man with a horn who parlays a hearty jazz gospel and glistening constitution. From a jazz perspective, the saxophonist proposes a rather liberating outlook.

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