Here in the UK we probably think that great modern American jazz only happens in NYC or LA just as, back in the day, it was thought that the best UK jazz only happened in London. Newcastle's Emcee 5 put paid to that theory and five gigsters, active in the Baltimore/Washington DC area, do likewise "over there".
The Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble combine to produce some fiery straight-ahead jazz. Nine original compositions: 4 by Grasso, 2 each by Ravita and Russell and 1 by Small make up a very listenable album that should let the world know that the East Coast extends way past NYC.
The two leaders are fine soloists but, for me, the star man is Russell particularly on tenor. He attacks the instrument like a man possessed without loss of musicality and indeed, when the heat is off, he proves to be a very lyrical player. He's marginally more controlled on soprano although still very fluent.
When I hear an album of originals of this quality I'm both pleased and saddened. Pleased by what I'm hearing but saddened that it's unlikely that any other band will pick up on them.
I'd like to think that one day I'll go into a jam session and someone will say "How about Benny Russell's All About Cynthia?" Or any decent original that's been written in recent years.
Getting back to Jagged Spaces If I'm ever back in DC I'll make a point of catching the Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble rather than visiting the Lincoln Memorial.
Lance
Release date January 15, 2021
Jagged Spaces; Her Life Incomplete; Songhai; Blue Sunshine; Circles; All About Cynthia; Latin For Leandro; The Homecoming; Chasing Shadows.
1 comment :
Benny Russell impressed during a recent live stream set by Greg Hatza's ORGANisation at Keystone Korner in Baltimore. Commanding but not overbearing, if he turns up in Newcastle one Tuesday night he'd make a big impression at a Black Swan jam session!
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