PREMIERA: Larry Newcomb Quartet - "Love, Dad"

 

Gitarzysta Larry Newcomb studiował pod okiem Bucky'ego Pizzarelli, Pata Martino, Howarda Robertsa i Marka Elfa. W roku 1998 na na Florydzie zdobył tytuł doktora nauk muzycznych, a dziś prowadzi własną szkołę gitarową w Nowym Jorku: Newcomb Guitar School and Guitar Studies Program.
Jako muzyk i kompozytor pozostaje pod silnym wpływem takich artystów jak: Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino i Jim Hall. Współpracował z wieloma artystami dzięki czemu wypracował sobie wyjątkową markę zarówno jako sideman, jak muzyk współtworzący jazzowe formacje.
Pośród artystów z którymi Newcomb współpracował znajdziemy takie nazwiska jak: Billy Kaye, Brian Charette, Bob Cunningham czy Dan Moretti.
Do nagrania albumu "Living Tribute" (2017) zrealizowanego z własnym kwartetem, gitarzysta zaprosił legendarnego nestora gitary a zarazem jednego ze swych mistrzów Bucky'ego Pizzarelli. Z kolei do nagrania nowego albumu Larry Newcomb Quartet, gitarzysta zaprosił swego syna, znakomitego kontrabasistę Jake'a Newcomba.

Skład nowego kwartetu gitarzysty uzupełniają: pianista Thomas Royal i perkusista Dave Marsch.
Na płycie zatytułowanej "Love, Dad" poza sześcioma autorskimi kompozycjami Larry'ego Newcomba znajdziemy też utwory z dorobku m.in. Oscara Pettiforda i Jerome Kerna.

Płyta ukazała się 5 lutego, podobnie jak poprzedni album gitarzysty nakładem wytwórni Essential Messenger.

 

Robert Ratajczak

LINK: recenzja płyty

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Larry Newcomb Quartet: Love, Dad
CD 2021, Essential Messenger EM32021

program:
  1. You Stepped Out of a Dream
  2. Essential Messengers
  3. Cliffhanger Blues
  4. Love, Dad
  5. Tricotism
  6. Soirée
  7. Secret Agent Man
  8. Hearts in Suspension
  9. Love Intentionally
10. The Song Is You

personel:
Larry Newcomb - gitara
Thomas Royal - fortepian
Jake Newcomb - kontrabas
Dave Marsh - perkusja

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materiały prasowe:

"The perfect exclamation point on an eclectic package that bears the heartfelt title, "Love, Dad”.

Bill Milkowski, contributor to Downbeat, Jazziz and Absolute Sound

"Larry Newcomb’s “Soirée” is another original that won my vote for personal favorite of the ten tracks offered up. “Cliffhanger Blues” is some of the tastiest (& funky) jazz/blues you’ll ever listen to! I give Larry, Jake, Thomas and Dave a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating.  “EQ” (energy quotient) score of 4.99 for this fun family jazz recording".

Dick Metcalf, editor, Contemporary Fusion Reviews

"Larry Newcomb's genial guitar sets the compass with agility and elan. Everyone meshes well, which is what quartets should do, making LOVE, DAD a smooth and pleasurable listening experience".

Jack Bowers, All About Jazz

Veteran jazz guitarist Larry Newcomb and his son bassist Jake Newcomb team up for a high-quality straight ahead jazz quartet set. The Newcombs, who are joined by pianist Thomas Royal and drummer Dave Marsh, perform six of the guitarist’s distinctive originals plus swinging versions of four standards.

Larry Newcomb, who is considered one of the top all-round guitarists on the scene today, has played in a wide variety of settings during his productive career but his true love is modern straight ahead jazz. "Love, Dad", Newcomb’s third recording as a leader, features the composer’s talented son Jake Newcomb on bass, the consistently inventive pianist Thomas Royal, and the supportive Dave Marsh on drums. The Quartet now explores new musical territory following Newcomb’s 2017 release, "Living Tribute" and 2015’s "LIVE Intentionally!", which received a four-star review in DownBeat.
 The quartet performs fresh renditions of four standards plus the leader’s six originals. The set begins with a relaxed version of “You Stepped Out Of A Dream” that, with its melodic guitar, piano and bass solos, serves as a fine introduction to the group. The guitarist’s “Essential Messengers” has a jaunty Latin feel and chordal work that recalls Wes Montgomery in spots, but advanced harmonies all its own. Newcomb’s quirky and almost Monkish “Cliffhanger Blues” displays his sly wit and has a particularly colorful piano solo.
 “Love, Dad”, which is dedicated to Larry Newcomb’ sthree sons, is based on the chord changes of “Stella By Starlight” and is a cooker that inspires thoughtful solos. Jake Newcomb is in the spotlight on Oscar Pettiford’s classic “Tricotism”, taking the melody and a subtle yet inspired solo. The leader’s “Soirée” is an original jazz waltz with a French feel to it and features one of his most adventurous solos of the program.
 A change of pace is next in “Secret Agent Man”, certainly an offbeat choice for a jazz date but one that works well. This rollicking performance gives Newcomb an opportunity to revisit his roots. The heartfelt ballad “Hearts In Suspension”, a 6/8 to 4/4 hybrid “Love Intentionally” and a swinging “The Song Is You” conclude the enjoyable album.
 Larry Newcomb was originally a blues rocker and worked along the way as lead guitarist with the touring bands of many pop and rock artists including Peter Noone (of Herman’s Hermits) and Leslie Gore. However while attending the University of Maine, he became interested in jazz. He has since earned Masters and PhD degrees in Music from the University of Florida and studied with such notables asg uitarists Bucky Pizzarelli, Pat Martino, Jack Wilkins, Howard Roberts and Mark Elf. In his career, he has played with many of the top jazz musicians in New York and Florida including Reuben Wilson, Bob Mover, Bob Cunningham, Benny Powell, Manny Duran, Brian Charette and Joe Donato.
 A busy educator as well as a performer, Larry Newcomb’s previous recordings, "LIVE Intentionally!" and "Living Tribute", featuring the late jazz guitar icon Bucky Pizzarelli are each quite worthy; but, "Love, Dad" is his most inventive and mature recording to date, an excellent sampling of his guitar artistry and original approach to playing creative jazz.