Streamin’ Personnel: Nelson Hinds: trombone, Eric Gunnison: piano, Ron Bland: bass, Paul Romaine, Todd Reid: drums, Peter Sommer: tenor, Bob Rebholz: flute, tenor, John Gunther: tenor, Brad Goode: trumpet Tracks: 1. Streamin’ 2. Poraguesa 3. Strollin Down 4. Little Guy 5. Great Basin Street 6. Monk’s Happy Meal 7. Hollywood Blues 8. Mr. Farnsworth 9. Early Morning in the Park 10. The Flood All compositions/arrangements - Nelson Hinds

Nelson Hinds

Nelson Hinds’ recent release of “Streamin’” has me again wondering what is wrong with the American music scene. How can a CD this musical go relatively unnoticed? Without musical prejudice I can enthusiastically recommend this recording and deem it one of the best I have heard since I have been reviewing for JR247.

Nelson is not new to the jazz scene. He is an alumnus of the venerable Woody Herman Band, has played with the Chuck Mangione Orchestra and was a featured soloist with the Terrance Blanchard Quintet at the Telluride Jazz Festival (1999). Actually, one need only listen to him play and his credentials are obviously consistent with his instrumental mastery and compositional skills. He has surrounded himself with an equally impressive complement of talent on this session which propels it into an elite zone of musical excellence.

The theme on the opener “Streamin’” is an up tempo original which swaps between a 4/4 and 6/8 feel. It features a theme played in unison by the ensemble and which is followed a burning tenor solo by Peter Sommer. Not to be outdone, Mr. Hinds and Eric Gunnison take first class solos which are shaped beautifully and swing magnificently. I remember seeing Eric about 25 years ago performing with a trio and vocalist in a club in Kenmore Square in Boston. He was a great player way back then and just listen to him now. Listen also to the fine support of Paul Romaine on drums here.


“Poraguesa” is a lovely bossa nova that starts in E minor and moves through the relative major and onward. It features nice metric changes. There is swap between 4/4 and 3/4 bars in the very first few measures. The melody perfectly matches the rhythmic variation so that the metric changes throughout (which vary) seem quite natural. The piece features another elegant tenor solo by Peter Sommer which is followed by improvisations by Nelson and Eric – excellent drum work by Todd Reid.

Nice ensemble work on “Strollin Down’ “ features a theme with a brief quote from “I Won’t Dance” and some nice ensemble rhythmic punctuations. The blowing changes utilize a “Killer Joe” C7 Bb7 sequence along with some whole tone ruminations. Bassist Ron Bland takes the first solo for a nice contrast. He is an excellent player who solos beautifully and really lays it down – listen to the transition from his solo to the ensemble.
“Little Guy”, a ballad, changes textures with the addition of flute to the ensemble sound (Bob Rebholz). Mr. Rebholz takes the first improvisation with a soaring and inventive flute solo with impeccable tone and intonation. Eric Gunnison shows his sensitive side with a delicate piano solo that utilizes both single note and chordal passages – he is truly a great pianist.

“Great Basin”, an up tempo take off on “Basin Street Blues” in Eb features a really swinging ensemble – and a top notch arrangement. Listen to Nelson’s funky solo on this along with a great responsive and supportive rhythm section – perfect. Mr. Gunnison follows with his inimitable blend of bebop and contemporary lines. Peter Sommer takes a tenor solo that has all of the right elements in it – a world class player. Ron Bland’s bass solo precedes the ensemble for the closing theme with a percussive Eb7 (#9) ending (listen to Nelson’s nice high in-tune A on top of the voicing).

“Monk’s Happy Meal”, a Nelson Hinds’ original, is a slow languid theme in Bb. The progression is very Monk and very blues oriented. Nelson on trombone and Peter Goode on tenor share the solo honors – Eric Gunnison plays a brief Monk sounding coda. Trumpeter Brad Goode is featured on “Hollywood Blues”. He plays a remarkable technical and musical solo with a true compositional feel. He is also featured on the medium swing “Mr. Farnsworth” and “The Flood” along with John Gunther on tenor. John is also a remarkable soloist. Honestly I can’t remember hearing so many talented players on one album in this small group context – “Blues and the Abstract Truth” by Oliver Nelson comes to mind. The players here not only perform flawlessly within the context of the ensemble and the written note, but also exhibit a highly developed improvisational ability on their respective instruments.

Peter Sommer shines on “Early Morning in the Park”, a medium tempo gem by Mr Hinds. “The Flood” is an uptempo finale which is a perfect ending to this marvelous CD. The rhythm section’s playing is a thing of beauty. Again, listen for the dynamic John Goode on trumpet and John Gunther on tenor. This track is one of the high points of the session – like listening to a club performance. The piece goes in and out of tempo with a free type improvisational foray – and a special note of recognition to the dynamic and swinging accompaniment of drummer Paul Romaine and bassist Ron Bland.

I think this CD would be a welcome addition to anyone’s library. Nelson Hinds and company most assuredly deserve a wider listening audience. You can find the CD on www.cdbaby.com as well as Nelson’s website www.streamincd.com.



John Ferrara
January 2007