Not yet 40, New York bassist Joe Martin has performed with a veritable who’s who in modern jazz, including Bill Charlap, Art Farmer, Ari Hoenig, Anat Cohen, Ethan Iverson, Brad Mehldau, Maria Schneider, Mark Turner and the Mingus Big Band. Born in Kansas City and growing up in Pella, IA, he comes by his music chops honestly, the son of a clarinetist/music professor and grandson of a jazz pianist. Since earning his degree from William Paterson College, Martin has become one of the most sought-after bassists on the New York scene. His second outing as leader, Not By Chance (Anzic Records), is definitely not by chance, featuring two of the brightest stars on the jazz planet, Chris Potter and Brad Mehldau, along with one of the heavy hitters of a younger generation, drummer Marcus Gilmore. 

Not by Chance showcases Martin’s writing as well as bass-playing skills, with all original compositions save one track (“The Balloon Song”) from Jaco Pastorius. And there’s plenty of variety that allows the individual and collaborative efforts to shine: “Semente” with Martin and Potter harmonizing with a subdued Mehldau; “In the Meantime” with an extended bouncy solo from Martin; “Caché,” opening with an engaging drum solo; the title track with Potter on soprano, taking Martin’s acrobatic outline through dazzling twists and turns. My favorite? “A Dream,” which highlights Mehldau’s creative and pensive style with equally subtle and engaging support from bass and drums. And while this track, and the recording in general, would be an elegant success if only a trio album, Potter’s contributions here (and everywhere else) raise that level of exquisite musical detail to a higher plane.

Purchase Not by Chance

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