An out and out swinger reminiscent of the Blue Note albums of the 1950s and early 1960s with Oxman digging in like Dexter without the quotes. This is tenor playing the way I like it. Hard-blowing and full-toned yet lyrical on the ballads such as In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning, Blame it on my Youth, the deeply emotional Waltz For Joey and, of course, the title track.
Joey Pearlman was a bass playing student of Keith Oxman at Denver's East High School who sadly passed away in February last year at the age of 24. Oxman comments that, 'after thirty years of teaching music, I can count a handful of students who were destined to accomplish great feats. Notable among those students was the brilliant bassist Joey Pearlman, whose music and personality brightened each day for us at East High School.' As a further tribute, the final track features Joey and his twin brother Stevie on drums alongside Oxman on John Coltrane's John Paul Jones recorded in 2014.
Garden Song was actually composed by Joey adding further to the emotional content indicating that the pupil was already coming up the rails and fast!
Oxman, who is no stranger to these pages, becomes a contender with every release and yet never seems to show in the DownBeat polls - I guess Denver must be off their radar. Likewise Jenkins, Simon and Reid who are as solid a team as anyone could wish for.
This One's For Joey is on Capri Records - release date April 22. I should have maybe held my review back until nearer the time but I didn't want to risk overlooking it - Highly recommended! Lance
The Gojon Jazz Messengers; Lady Vera; Joshua Fought the Battle Against Trump & Co.; Waltz For Joey; Clark's Spark; Blame it on my Youth; Christine; In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning; This One's For Joey; Garden Song; Khalid; Debussy; John Paul Jones.
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