Tony do Rosario: The Welcoming

Chicago guitarist Tony do Rosario displays a traditional, hard-swinging style on The Welcoming, an engaging quartet recording with organist Dan Kostelnik, vibraphonist Behn Gillece and drummer Bob Shomo. The session highlights the Atlantic City, New Jersey-native's fluid guitar style and solid compositional skills.

The bouncy 6/8 opener "Childhood Memories" and the Latin-insprired "Another Time" introduce Rosario's progressive approach; mindful of the past, yet eager to push forward. The guitarist's greasy, single-note lines evoke the feel-good soulfulness of 1960s Blue Note sessions with guitarist Grant Green and organist Larry Young. A highlight of the recording is the classic Green piece "Jean De Fleur," featuring graceful, chops-heavy lines by Rosario, Kostelnik and Gillece. Kostelnik keeps things grounded throughout with a firm command of the organ combo tradition, evoking the sounds of Young, Big John Patton and Jack McDuff.

The bluesy toe-tapper "Easter Sunday," up-tempo title track and dreamy ballad "Waiting Alone" emphasize Rosario's penchant for patient melodic build-up, developing themes that are logical and stylistically sound. The closing "Simone," driven by the intensity of Shomo's drumming, brings satisfying closure to a well-conceived session.

The Welcoming will appeal to fans of soulful, guitar driven jazz. The music is honest and heartfelt while Rosario's talent as a composer and improviser shines through from start to finish.