Jared Sims The New York Sessions

Jared Sims
The New York Sessions
Ropeadope

While his prior album, "Change of Address" focused on his baritone playing, Jared Sims' new release presents him also on tenor sax as he focuses on what New York City meant to him when he lived there and performed regularly at clubs like The Knitting Factory, Wetland's, and Brooklyn's Tea Lounge. Now Director of Jazz Studies at West Virginia University, he leads a quartet of Chris McCarthy on piano, Alex Tremblay on bass and Evan Hyde on drums for what is simplistically described as a straight-ahead, hard-bop recording.

Sims opens with "Tribeca Tap Bar," a swinging performance with a Brazilian tinge begins with Sims taking a relaxed, energetic solo followed by solos from McCarthy and Tremblay. The rhythm section gets an emphatic groove going on "Wetlands Preserved," with Sims playing forcefully on a number that commemorates a now closed venue. "Brooklyn Tea" has a reflective quality as the pace cools with Sims playing authoritatively on baritone sax. From the title, "The Bodega," one might expect a salsa groove, but the performance is a charming number on which Sims exhibits a lyrical and romantic quality.  The closing "Pelham" is enlivened by an imaginative drum solo.

In addition to Sims' robust saxophone, his rhythm section deserves applause in how they support and complement him along with thoughtful and well-constructed solos. These ingredients make for an impressive recording.

I received a review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the January-February Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 382), Here is "Tribeca Tap Bar," from "The New York Sessions."

Jared Sims Change of Address

Jared Sims
Change of Address
Ropeadope

An educator (currently Director of Jazz Studies at West Virginia University) who plays multiple reeds, Jared Sims as a performer focuses on the baritone sax. The title of this album reflects his move from Boston to West Virginia where he went to school. On this he is joined by Steve Fell on guitar; Nina Ott on organ, Chris Lopes on bass and Jared Seabrook on drums for a program of 7 tunes where he gets to display his rugged, energetic playing on seven originals.

The album takes off with the bouncy, funky groove groove of "Offer For Wilson, with Ott's greasy organ setting the mood for Sims to join in with his brawny attack. It is followed by "Seeds of Shihab," a tribute to one of his influences, baritone great Sahib Shihab, where his authoritative soloing is supported by a simple backing with Fell then taking a blues-inflected solo contrasts with the dark bottom sound of the leader's baritone. The soul-jazz flavor of this recording continues with "Ghost Guest 1979," which showcases guitarist Fell who employs a number of effects on his solo before Sims barrels in on the baritone. "Leap of Faith" is a tone poem with electronics creating aural textures that is the foundation for Sims' playing. "Forest Hills," named after a Boston neighborhood, is a spirited number with Fell's bluesy guitar making judicious use of tonal variations and effects. The opening to "Tower of Fazenda" establishes a morose atmosphere which Sims maintains as he plays with restraint followed by Fell's deliberate crafting of his solo.

"Lights and Colors," with a bouncy groove, and strong playing from Sims and Fell, closes "Change of Address," on a dance-able note. The playing, especially of Sims and Fell, captures the ear, even if the backing sometimes is only serviceable. Still an intriguing recording by a formidable baritone player.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the September-October 2017 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 374).