Jack Brandfield - I'll Never Be the Same

Jack Brandfield - I'll Never Be the Same -Gut String Records

Born in New York City in 1998, tenor saxophonist Jack Brandfield debuts with a drummer-less trio album backed by guitarist Randy Napoleon and bassist Rodney Whitaker. The latter two were on the Michigan State University faculty, which Brandfield attended while earning a B.M degree. Before attending Michigan State, Brandfield was a student at the Laguardia School For the Arts, and then at Lincoln Center's Youth Academy, he worked in ensembles directed by Ted Nash, Vincent Gardner, and Melissa Aldana. Presently he lives in Miami, where he is a graduate student at the Frost School of Music at The University of Miami.

About this album, he writes, "The title track, "I'll Never Be The Same," speaks to the inspiration behind the making of my debut album. For the past four years, I've had the great pleasure to be under the mentorship of two of my favorite musicians, Rodney Whitaker and Randy Napoleon. The knowledge and insight I received from them on what it means to swing, how to present a melody, and the importance of carrying the torch for this great American art form will stay with me for the rest of my life. The making of this album is a celebration of the friendship and bonds I built with them."

This statement describes the music on this recording, which is like a graduate thesis on interpreting the American Songbook. Brandfield brings a full-bodied tone and plenty of warmth to the standards he interprets, with Napoleon and Whitaker providing supple support. Listening to his rendition of "Over the Rainbow" or the title track," one is struck by his tender melodicism. He certainly can swing as he exhibits on "Lover Come Back to Me" and "On a Slow Boat to China." There is the delight of his rendition of Thad Jones' "Bossa Nova Ova," the sublime pleasures of the "Ballad Melody," and a superb performance of Ellington's "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me."

Brandfield also stated about this recording, "The drumless trio is a sound that has always captivated me since hearing "Stan Getz Meets The Oscar Peterson Trio" at a young age. That album was a gateway for me to hear all the great tenor players of the 20th Century, such as Ben Webster, Johnny Griffin, and Zoot Sims, who are a few of my favorites. I have always tried to emulate their ability to sing through the horn with confidence and a sense of subtlety and beauty. On the record, I pay tribute to these inspirations by attempting to do what they did best, presenting my favorite melodies with my own voice." 

Like those great legends who inspired him, Jack Brandfield indeed sings through his horn, and this album introduces us to a marvelous new tenor sax voice that we look forward to hearing more from in the future.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a video of Jack Brandfield performing

David Sills Double Guitar Quintet Natural Lines

David Sills Double Guitar Quintet
Natural Lines
Gut String Records

David Sills is a Los Angeles based reeds player based who a prolific recording career, both as a leader and with others. Influenced by saxophonist Gary Foster with whom he studied privately, the LA Times has called Sills' sound "as a meeting of Stan Getz and Joe Henderson." The double guitar quintet arose from Sills playing venues where there was no piano, so he added a second guitar, which "seemed to open up many musical possibilities and allowed for an interesting mix of musical colors." Sills is heard on this recording playing tenor sax and alto flute. The other Double Guitar Quintet members are guitarists Larry Koonse and Mike Scott, bassist Blake White, and drummer Tim Pleasant. Sills composed five tunes, Scott and Koonse, one each, while Sills, Koonse, and Scott collaborated on one. The other four songs are covers.

Sills is a wonderful player as well as a composer with a striking band on this strong bop-laced date. Things start with Scott's bright, bouncy "Minor Monk." I presume that Scott takes the guitar lead and solo here while Koonse chords and adds fills. Sills' full-bodied tenor follows Scott's clean-toned, fluid lines. Sills also displays a fluidity in constructing his solos. The rhythm section is sterling with Pleasant takes a short drum solo. Koonse contributed "Sync or Swim" with an intriguing melodic line. Koonse's scintillating solo is supported by Scott's chordal backing, followed by the leader's robust solo.

Sills' "Sonny's Side" is a salute to Sonny Rollins with more sweet-sounding guitar followed by more strong tenor sax. Excellent guitar backing is present backing Sills' superb ballad playing on "Lover Man." "Foggy Daze," a contrafact of "A Foggy Day," is a terrific swinging performance. Another contrafact, "Mellow Daze" (based on "In a Mellow Mood"), is another sublime performance with precious guitar and warm tenor sax. "All The Little Things" is a brief, imaginative free improvisation between Sills, Koonse, and Scott based on the structure "All The Things You Are."

Sills' lovely alto flute is showcased on Alan Broadbent's "Quiet As a Star." This performance also has exquisite interplay between the guitarist in support. Sills also plays alto flute on a rendition of Miles Davis' "Nardis," that begins sounding like free jazz before bassist White bridges the group into the Davis melody. Other selections are similarly of a high level.

Sills' Double Guitar Quintet has produced this marvelous straight-ahead bop recording of great appeal with the superior musicianship and strong material.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a performance by David Sills with a group that includes Larry Koonze.