| The Horns are strong trumpet/sax/trombone (John Allmark, Dan Moretti and John Wheeler, respectively) over a funky rhythm section (Bruce Bartlett, guitar; Bill Miele, electric bass; Ben Cook, keyboards; and either Vinny Pagano or Marty Richard, drums). The crisp ensemble playing, along with inventive arranging, defines a signature sound that touches at times on swing, blues, funk, and rock, yet grounded firmly in the modern jazz traditon. The CD appeals to a wide audience, including many who don't particularly listen to or like jazz.
"Blues for Lee", Allmark's nod to the late trumpeter Lee Morgan, captures perfectly the flavor of the Jazz Messengers, but Bartlett's fills let you know that the music is new century. The additon of Bob Bowlby's baritone sax on a few tunes adds even more bite to the band's sound. -Neal Weiss, JazzReview.com |