John Fedchock (trombone); Scott Wendholt (trumpet/flugel); Walt Weiskopf (tenor sax); Allen Farnham (piano); David Finck (bass); Eric Halvorson (drums).
"Straight from the shoulder, unpretentious jazz" is how Jazz Journal described the Fedchock NY Sextet and I won't argue with that. Nor will I disagree with the Boston Post Gazette's description as "A lineup of dazzling New York post-bop talent" for this is everything it says on the tin, maybe a bit more.
Standards and originals arranged and composed by the trombonist/leader provide the setting for this, his tenth album.
There have been many great sextets on both the East and West Coasts of America and, although Fedchock has undoubtedly studied and absorbed the teachings of both schools, what has emerged is respectful without plagiarism. It is jazz for today - let tomorrow take care of itself.
Fedchock has the lovely dry sound that typifies modern trombone players operating, at times, with the fluency of a valve trombonist. His arrangements, particularly of the standards (I Should Care, Nature Boy and Star Eyes), are harmonic masterpieces.
His cohorts are of equal standing. Wendholt as lyrical as early Chet with the fire of the late Roy Hargrove. Weiskopf would have held his own with the Blue Note greats. Farnham has had an illustrious career recording with Mel Tormé and as longtime accompanist to the late Susannah McCorkle. David Finck has albums under his own name and Halvorson is near the top of every leader's list.
To re-quote the opening sentence - "Straight from the shoulder, unpretentious jazz"
Amen.
Lance.
Available July 17 on Summit Records.
Available July 17 on Summit Records.
1 comment :
The Strictly Smokin' Big Band has one or two of Fedchock's charts in the pad and the American is a friend of Steve Walker's Big Band Bash programme (on Coastal Sound Radio tonight at 8:00pm).
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