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by Rick Holland
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 Best Bets | | Personnel: CLAY JENKINS trumpet JEFF CAMPBELL bass RICH THOMPSON drums
| | Tracks: 1. PROFESSOR ATTICUS 6:04 2. WEST END AVENUE 6:08 3. I LET A SONG GO OUT OF MY HEART 6:20 4. HAT IN HAND 4:37 5. LES IS MORE 4:40 6. SWEET SIXTEEN 3:36 7. CRY ME A RIVER 8:05 8. BEST BETS 6:09 9. BASS BLUES 5:40 | |
Trio East Best Bets
Trio East has released a dynamic new recording, which features interesting rhythmic interplay and daring harmonic explorations. The group, which is based in Rochester, NY, are all teaching Jazz at the Eastman School of Music. What a privilege this must be to have these three as role models in the Jazz Department in Rochester.
Rich Thompson (drums) who is known for his work with the Count Basie Band, offers another side to his splendid musicianship. His feels are varied, and reveals a more modern side to his approach to playing. I was especially impressed with the dialogue created between Rich and the other two members of the group. The counterpoint is splendid and very musical.
Clay Jenkins (trumpet) can be heard on a variety of recordings out of the NYC and LA sessions these days. A very creative player, Clay has an exceptional approach to harmony and phrases beautifully. He captured my attention and often played phrases that surprised me in the direction in which I thought they might go. You’ll really enjoy this creative jazz musician.
Jeff Campbell, (Bass) is not new to these trio sessions. My first exposure to Jeff was on a recording with his trio with tenor master John Wojciechowski, out of Chicago, Illinois. Jeff is great at creating open settings in which horn players can create and reach explorative improvisations. He is also a creative improviser in his own right, and lays down Ray Brown like sound, to enhance a large and deep sound, which provides rich texture in a trio setting.
You will not miss the harmonic comping instrument on this session. For the three create interesting textures and contrasting compositions in which to play throughout. For example, Clay just plays the ^%$# out of I Let A Song Go Out of My Heart, and then returns the favor on another standard Cry Me a River. Jeff really shines when taking a melodic role on Bass Blues. Thompson plays very thoughtful melodic improvisational phrases on many of the groups originals.
As far as contrasting styled tunes, the group has an impressive and suggestive group of original tunes. The opening tune Professor Atticus is a funky interplay with a hip ostinato played by Campbell. West End Avenue is a modern modal tune with cool hand gestures on the set played by Thompson, which adds color and spice. Hat in Hand is post-modern third stream ballad that has interesting interplay. Thompson shines on his ability to add contrasting and dynamic colors and percussive melodies. It is followed up by beautiful interplay and between Jenkins and Thompson on Les is More. A very melodic tune, Jenkins and Thompson shine in their ability to convey melodic interplay.
Best Bets is a very cool ostinato with a listening ensemble playing nice lines between interesting improvisations. I really enjoyed Campbell and Jenkins interplay here. As stated before, Bass Blues, the last original features Campbell’s swingin’ melody. He is an interesting and thoughtful musician, and you’ll enjoy the Blues played with a modern twist.
I hope everyone can hear this group “live”, they listen, interact and deliver thoughtful musical improvisations and create a very thoughtful musical presentation. Well done guys!!
For more information about this band, please visit: Origin-Records.com |
Rick Holland |
| About the author: |
| A versatile musician and veteran performer in organizations such as the Louie Bellson Big Band (Chicago Based Band), Jimmy Dorsey, Mike Pendowski, Rob Parton , Buddy De Franco, Buselli-Wallrab and Terry Gibbs Bands, Rick Holland brings a wealth of experience and musicality to each performance. |
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