KEITH OXMAN - This One's For Joey
Capri Records: 74168-2
Keith Oxman (tenor sax) Jeff Jenkins(piano) Mark Simon (bass) Todd Reid (drums) with additional track featuring Joey Pearlman (bass) and Stevie Pearlman (drums)
Tracks 1 to 12 recorded on May 14th 2021. Track 13 recorded June 16th 2014, all in Denver, USA.
Keith Oxman, whose collaboration with bassoonist Frank Morelli I chose as one of my outstanding recordings of 2021, returns with his quartet and a lively set of what is becoming to be described as modern mainstream or what I call solid, straight-ahead unpretentious jazz. Though brimming with joi de vivre there is however a sad backstory for the album was conceived as a tribute to one of Oxman’s former students, bass player Joey Pearlman, who tragically died at the age 24 just as he was beginning to establish himself as a first call musician on the vibrant New York scene. Notwithstanding the unhappy circumstances that brought the session into being the mood throughout is celebratory rather than valedictory serving as a dedication to the esteem held by those who knew and played with him.
Of the 13 tracks that make up the generously timed playlist seven are Oxman originals inspired by recollections of friendships and places, two by pianist, Jenkins, a couple of songbook standards and a further original by Pearlman which reveals a precocious talent for composing. In fact, there is high degree of compositional flair on display here which whilst delivered in a familiar jazz vernacular makes this much more than a clichéd blowing session.
The final track is a recording from 2014 featuring Joey in a trio format with his mentor on tenor and twin brother Stevie on drums. They play a Coltrane tune and Oxman’s vigorous interpretation is ably supported by both young men who display considerable skill in the execution of their contributions, Joey’s warm, assertive statements in close intuitive rapport with the leader and his brother whose crisp breaks are intelligently and wittily constructed.
The quartet tracks which comprise the bulk of the presentation offer a pleasingly varied bill of fare with plenty of boppish bounce in the up-tempo numbers and requisite lyricism in the ballads. Jeff Jenkins (also an academic mentor of the twins) matches the leader note for note in virtuosity and melodic invention and the bass and drums team provide the necessary drive with accomplished ease. In short this is a top drawer session performed by musicians playing at the top of their game and who should be much better known on this side of the Atlantic.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
Capri Records: 74168-2
Keith Oxman (tenor sax) Jeff Jenkins(piano) Mark Simon (bass) Todd Reid (drums) with additional track featuring Joey Pearlman (bass) and Stevie Pearlman (drums)
Tracks 1 to 12 recorded on May 14th 2021. Track 13 recorded June 16th 2014, all in Denver, USA.
Keith Oxman, whose collaboration with bassoonist Frank Morelli I chose as one of my outstanding recordings of 2021, returns with his quartet and a lively set of what is becoming to be described as modern mainstream or what I call solid, straight-ahead unpretentious jazz. Though brimming with joi de vivre there is however a sad backstory for the album was conceived as a tribute to one of Oxman’s former students, bass player Joey Pearlman, who tragically died at the age 24 just as he was beginning to establish himself as a first call musician on the vibrant New York scene. Notwithstanding the unhappy circumstances that brought the session into being the mood throughout is celebratory rather than valedictory serving as a dedication to the esteem held by those who knew and played with him.
Of the 13 tracks that make up the generously timed playlist seven are Oxman originals inspired by recollections of friendships and places, two by pianist, Jenkins, a couple of songbook standards and a further original by Pearlman which reveals a precocious talent for composing. In fact, there is high degree of compositional flair on display here which whilst delivered in a familiar jazz vernacular makes this much more than a clichéd blowing session.
The final track is a recording from 2014 featuring Joey in a trio format with his mentor on tenor and twin brother Stevie on drums. They play a Coltrane tune and Oxman’s vigorous interpretation is ably supported by both young men who display considerable skill in the execution of their contributions, Joey’s warm, assertive statements in close intuitive rapport with the leader and his brother whose crisp breaks are intelligently and wittily constructed.
The quartet tracks which comprise the bulk of the presentation offer a pleasingly varied bill of fare with plenty of boppish bounce in the up-tempo numbers and requisite lyricism in the ballads. Jeff Jenkins (also an academic mentor of the twins) matches the leader note for note in virtuosity and melodic invention and the bass and drums team provide the necessary drive with accomplished ease. In short this is a top drawer session performed by musicians playing at the top of their game and who should be much better known on this side of the Atlantic.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
