Kevin Bachelder (vcl/tpt); Ron Blake (tpt/flug); Jacques Voyemant (tmb); Kim Richmond (sop/alt/clt); Brandon Fields (ten); Daniel Szabo (pno); Angelo Metz (gtr); Edwin Livingstone (bs); Jason Lee Bruns (dms/leader).
(Review by Lance).
With so many albums winging their way across the pond it can be easy to overlook a gem or two, particular when, in many cases, the band/artist are not familiar names in the old world. Cherry Avenue is a case in point.
Bachelder (b. 1972). Active Stateside for the past 25 years, involved in projects with major artists as diverse as Wayne Shorter and David Bowie but yet to be caught on this writer's radar.
Bruns (b 1979), jazz drummer, Latin percussionist, arranger, producer and bandleader does have a tenuous UK connection - in 2011 he played drums with Liane Carroll at L.A.'s Catalina Jazz Club.
Bruns' drumming and tight arrangements provide the perfect setting for Bachelder's vocals. After Sinatra, and later Chet Baker, put their brand on I Fall in Love Too Easily it took a brave man to follow but, Bachelder is nothing if not brave - he doesn't lose face.
Other tracks: My Romance; Autumn Leaves - some acceptable scatting to relieve the ennui of hearing 'The Dead Leaves' song once too often - Waters of March; Dear Prudence; a delightful version of Send in the Clowns; an equally appealing Like Someone in Love; It Didn't Workout That Way; Ain't No Sunshine and a kickass finale title track Cherry Avenue.
Excellent trumpet from Blake, trombone from Voyemant, clarinet by Richmond, tenor by Fields and, of course, driving drums by the co-leader.
Available now on the Panout Label from the usual suspects.
Lance.
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