Chris Greene Quartet

I receive many requests to review CDs, mostly from local Midwest area bands, but some from as far a field as Europe and Asia. One of the problems that I find in reviewing local musicians (wherever “local” may be situated) is that these efforts are often nothing more than vanity records, something to sell at gigs and to give a feeling of self-importance. When soul and science, volume one by Chris Greene’s quartet dropped into my mail box a few days ago, I had no qualms about reviewing it, having witnessed the band playing around the Chicago area for the last few years. My only concern was whether the quartet could capture on CD the raw energy that they generate when playing to a live audience. I needn’t have worried, the “live jazz” feeling was captured on disc perfectly.  

The quartet incudes Chris Greene (saxophones), Damian Espinosa (piano), Marc Piane (bass), and Tyrone Blair (drums). This five-track album certainly shows the quartet’s musical diversity, featuring music composed by soul legend Stevie Wonder; rocker Sting; jazzman Tommy Turrentine; bandleader Duke Ellington, together with a band original to complete the set.  

Rising Sun

Close your eyes and think about the very best Belgian chocolate truffle melting on the tip of your tongue. Imagine the lingering taste of the finest French red wine. Now you are in the mood for Rising Sun, the new CD from soprano saxophonist/flautist Najee on the Heads Up label. Sisaundra Lewis’s words, “If this would last forever,” from the opening track “Clarity,” express what you will feel as you listen to this wonderful CD. I know I could easily have listened to the lush songs on this album, over and over again (and I did). This collection of songs boasts some great R&B vibes mixed with some excellent smooth jazz grooves.

“Clarity” was written by John Mayer (yes, that John Mayer!), just one of several outstanding songwriters (including Najee) whose tunes appear on this album. The gorgeous arrangements and excellent musicianship testify to why Rising Sun debuted in the number one spot on Billboard’s jazz charts. The warm deep notes of Nick Reider’s flugelhorn regularly complement the higher soprano voice of Najee’s saxophone. The sensitive piano chops of Phil Davis emerge during his solo in “Child At Heart,” a song in which Najee sparkles on one of the many instruments with which he is skilled, the flute.

My Foolish Heart - Live at Montreux

My current commitment to jazz—as a listener—can be traced to encounters with three musicians at three points in time: As a ten-year-old, my introduction to what I recognized as “jazz” came via the swinging trumpet of Jonah Jones on a recording that my dad gave me, probably for my birthday. Soon I acquired some Pete Fountain and Al Hirt. The Beatles and Stones intervened, but as a new college graduate, I remember hearing the local radio station playing Keith Jarrett’s Facing You. Fascinated, I bought the album (yeah, an LP) and over the next few years collected whatever Jarrett I could find. A classical music phase followed (which of course did not preclude Jarrett!). At age 40, with a new stereo system, I started my collection of the then-still-new format, Compact Discs. One of my first purchases was Oscar Peterson—maybe Night Train or the Essential Oscar Peterson. I remain an OP collector. But Keith Jarrett always held a special shelf in my library.

Desire

Aaron’s CD is a potpourri stylistically without seeming disjointed or all over the map. “Baby Likes The Blues” is a swinging guitar-driven tune, introduced by the naked electric keyboard chops of Michael Whittaker before ascending to a more animated dialogue between the musicians. Drummer Jimmy Branley provides a strong backbeat to compliment Aaron’s fret tickling, while Mike Todd delivers a marvelous saxophone groove.