Jeff Ellwood - The Sounds Around My House

Jeff Ellwood - The Sounds Around My House -Self-produced

Jeff Elwood's "The Sounds Around My House" is an auspicious debut for the tenor saxophonist as a leader. A Southern California native, Ellwood leads a quartet of Alan Pasqua on piano, Dark Oles on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums. Bob Sheppard adds his tenor sax to one selection. This band is heard on a nicely programmed set of tunes that includes an Ellwood original, three Pasqua originals, and one original by bassist Oles.

Ellwood's "U-R," a contrafact based on "All the Things You Are," is the opening selection and introduces us to Ellwood's robust playing with little vibrato, backed by an excellent, swinging rhythm section. After his solo, pianist Pasqua carefully crafts his solo with a deft touch, followed by skilled solos from Oles and LaBarbara. Following this performance are two of Pasqua's originals. "Agrodolche" is an engaging ballad with charming performances by Ellwood and Pasqua. "Old School Blues" is a modern blues composition, shifting between minor and major modes. Ellwood's mastery of the saxophone's full tonal range is on display here. The title track is a lesser-known song from Alec Wilder and Johnny Mercer. Pasqua's restrained playing introduces this enchanting performance.

Ellwood pays homage to Rick Margitza, a saxophonist who had a significant impact on him, in a dreamy performance of Margitza's "Provence." With Bob Sheppard adding a second tenor sax, Ellwood pays homage to Dick Oatts on Oatts' "King Henry." Pasqua's chord work helps provide the foundation for a Coltrane-styled performance with the two contrasting saxophonists. Sheppard has a huskier tone, compared to Ellwood's more airy delivery. Pasqua writes very memorable melodies, and his "Barcelona" is another composition that allows Ellwood's lyrical playing to shine. Bassist Oles shines on this number. Bassist Oles contributed the hard, swinging "The Honeymoon," with Ellwood further displaying his playing's fluidity and clarity. Pasqua is dazzling on this, while LaBarbera is explosive on his solo. 

The album closes with Ellwood and Oles's exquisite duet interpreting "For Roger," composed by Joe Magg. It caps a superb album of robust, contemporary jazz by an outstanding saxophonist supported by an excellent band.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here Jeff Ellwood is heard on "All or Nothing at All.