Denison Faculty Jazz Quintet
First impressions are always the most important.
If that’s the case, then the Denison University Jazz Quintet is off to a fine start.
The group’s self-titled debut is an outstanding nine-song compilation, featuring original works from members of the Music Department, as well as a few fine covers of jazz standards.
The group consists of Tom Carroll on guitar, Richard Lopez on Piano, Pete Mills on saxophone, Doug Richeson on bass and Jeremy Bradstreet on drums. Andy Carlson makes a special appearance, performing violin on a couple of tracks.
The highlight of this album is not only how the quintet gels as an ensemble but the music that they perform. Six of the nine songs on the album are original pieces.
The album’s opener, “Angstin’ in the Rain,” written by Lopez, is a solid piece that sets the pace for the album.
The second track, “The Kid,” is the first of three Mills compositions that grace the album. The song was also featured on Mills’ 1998 solo debut.
The album’s first cover is “Sweet Georgia Brown,” which features a smoking fiddle performance from Carlson. This cut is a perfect example of how the group performs as an ensemble.
The album’s fourth track, “Cuisine Volatile,” features a nice interplay between Carroll and Mills, as well as some nice saxophone solos from Mills.
The funkiest track on the album is the eighth track, “Dot Com.” The song opens with a drum solo then moves to a funk-laced saxophone line. The highlight of the track comes at the three-minute mark with a stellar guitar breakdown.
For more information about the Denison University Jazz Ensemble, contact the music department at (740) 587-6220.
For information about ordering the album, connect to http://www.cojazz.com.
Grade: A
-Todd DeFeo
