CD Review: Patrick Cornelius - Infinite Blue.

Patrick Cornelius (alt); Frank Kimbrough (pno); Michael Janisch (bs); Jeff Ballard (dms). + Nick Vayenas (tmb 5 tracks); Michael Rodriguez (tpt 3 tracks);  John Chin (pno 1 track).

(Review by Lance)

Cornelius emerged from the prestigious musical hotbeds of Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music and Julliard with a sackful of degrees and diplomas alongside compositional and instrumental skills that are ably displayed here - he wrote all but one of the nine pieces the other, Projection, being by pianist John Chin.

Each of the nine titles has a discrete story to tell e.g.

Regent Street - Nothing makes the man quite like a sharp pair of shoes.

Infinite Blue - A man, a plane, a pencil and a window seat.

Intro to Waiting - (See below).

Waiting - She sits alone, staring out the window, waiting for him.

Puzzler - Four, then Four again, then Three. Rinse and Repeat.

Unfinished Business - A boy sets off on a new adventure in a strange land. A man returns, tired and weary, but resolved, determined and at peace.

In the Quiet Moments - The thoughts, desires, hopes, and worries pass by overhead like birds in the distance.

My Green Tara - Compels me to create, think, and achieve.Commissioned by the Rubin Museum of Art and The National Jazz Museum in Harlem.

Projection - Reflection, Patience and Introspection are kingly virtues. (Written by Chin who solos on piano).

Surprisingly the stories work well. That's not to say that when I listened to Regent Street I thought "Smart pair of shoes". Rather, when I knew what he wanted to convey I found I could equate the music with that intent.

Although Cornelius is the prime mover, apart from the compositions, his alto playing - cool and Pepperish - is a treat there are other delights. Rodriguez, described as one of New York's leading trumpet virtuosos has Charlie Haden and Eric Reed on his cv and has a purity of sound that is rare today. Nick Vayenas, ex Michael Bublé trombonist and fine vocalist in his own right leaves the vox humana behind to blow some bootyful bone on four of the tracks. Kimbrough, a long established member of Maria Schneider's various groups and a faculty member at Julliard, impresses on keys whilst Janisch, who gives a new meaning to the word ubiquitous, is, as he always is, the perfect anchor man whilst Ballard, taking time out from Brad Mehldau. provides the drive when drive is needed and the TLC when it isn't.

Patrick Cornelius - Infinite Blue is released on Whirlwind Records on July 30.

More info.

Lance.