2b3 2b3 Jimi

2b3
2b3 Jimi
Self-produced

2b3 is an organ trio that have devoted this project to the music of Jimi Hendrix. 2b3 consists of electric guitarist Mike Abbott, B-3 organist and synthesizer player Jeff Jenkins, and drummer Mike Marlier. All three have long careers as performers, educators, and more.

Abbott has performed or recorded with Randy Brecker, Maria Schneider, Jeff Hamilton, John Clayton, Sammy Davis Jr., Burt Bacharach, Joey Calderazzo, Marc Copland, and others. Abbott is the author of "The Guitar and Amp Sourcebook," and currently teaches at the University of Denver, Colorado Conservatory for The Jazz Arts, and privately in Denver.

Drummer Marlier has performed and recorded with countless artists and musicians, including Dave Grusin, Nelson Rangell, Benny Golson, Bobby Shew, Rob Mullins, the Neophonic Jazz Orchestra, Lee Ritenour, and Stanley Jordan. He is director of drum set studies at Lamont School of Music of Denver University.

Jenkins, as a jazz pianist, has worked with many jazz legends. These include Phil Woods, Freddie Hubbard, David Fathead Newman, Marlena Shaw, Eddie Harris, Richie Cole, Dakota Staton, Bobby Hutcherson, Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson, John Abercrombie, and Clark Terry. He was resident in New York in the eighties, where he studied with Richie Beirach, Kenny Barron, and Fred Hersch. He currently is teaching at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and for the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts.

This recording is fascinating, with some performances closer to Hendrix's recordings than others. While the trio might reference at times the melody of "Manic Depression," the energetic and exciting instrumental solos are pretty free-flowing in a jam band vein. This also holds on the rendition of "Purple Haze" that opens this album and the driving version of "Fire." In contrast, the foundation for the atmospheric interpretation of "Little Wing" hews somewhat close to Hendrix's original recording, although there is no attempt to imitate Hendrix's sound. "Foxy Lady" (misspelled Foxey on the album) is almost transformed into an organ trio shuffle with Jeff Jenkins providing color for Abbott's searing guitar solo before laying down his own choice soulful organ solo before Marlier takes the spotlight. There are two tracks I believe are not associated with Hendrix as a performer. "Etched in Stone," by Jeff Jenkins is a gospel-laced blues that evokes "A Change Is Gonna Come," while "Jimi" by Mike Abbott is a dreamy composition with Jenkins setting the atmosphere for Abbott's nuanced solo.

Jimi Hendrix's music has long attracted interpretations from jazz artists going back to Gil Evans Big band. 2b3 have added to this body of jazz interpretations of Hendrix with an intriguing and appealing recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here 2b3 perform Hendrix's "Manic Depression."

Brad Goode's Nature Boy

Trumpeter Brad Goode is a former Chicagoan now living in Colorado who teaches at the University of Colorado. Delmark has just issued his latest recording, Nature Boy, where he is backed by the trio of Jeff Jenkins on piano, Johannes Weidenmueller on bass and Todd Reid on drums on a varied program of standards and originals.

Goode discusses in the liner notes what he does to accomplish his goal of giving “an honest and personal interpretation of a song,” as he tries to learn everything about the tune. “I not only what to memorize and understand the lyric, I also want to sing it through my horn. I want to know the history of the tune: Who has performed it. How has it been interpreted by others? …” Doing so, he brings fresh nuances to well known standards like the title track, with plenty of his brought round trumpet as well as the ballad I Remember You, one of a number selections featuring his muted playing. 

Even with his original, Nightmare of the Mechanized World, one hears the attention to detail in his composition with its clock-like sounding progressions that provide the basis for his improvisation. More muted trumpet follows on the revival of the teen-ballad Sealed With a Kiss. Eddie Harris’  Infrapolations is a quick-tempoed number that sounds a bit like Giant Steps, and its quick tempo displays how agile Goode’s muted playing is. Pianist Jenkins is especially strong here, but is consistently strong throughout. A bit of late night or very early morning mood is present on the leader's It’s 4 a.m., with a nice solo spot by bassist Weidenmueller. 

Nature Boy is a splendid CD by a marvelous trumpeter, composer and leader.

I was provided a review copy by the record label. I wrote this review for Jazz & Blues Report but do believe it was published. Here is Brad in 1994 as part of the Chicago Reunion Band (Von Freeman, Jodie Christian, Rufus Reid and Jack DeJohnette).