Trumpeter John Daversa's third studio record unfurls another segment of the kaleidoscopic tapestry that first began its reveal two albums earlier. Kicking off with "Seven Grand," a namesake improv that quickly pays tribute to the Los Angeles venue which regularly hosts Daversa and his cohorts, Artful Joy shows the trumpeter and bandleader knows when to rein things and in and feel "Good To Be Alive" as he carves out sonic confections with a smaller band.
The album's title exemplifies the immediate pleasure of music-making shared unanimously by Daversa and his core sextet and guests Gretchen Parlato and Bob Mintzer. The latter's bass clarinet on "Rhythm Changers" completes the hybrid bluegrass-bop feel of the composition while Parlato's silken voice effects wordless shapes on "Hara Angelina," which is dedicated to Daversa's infant daughter. The other eight tracks range from shuffling romps to grooving grazers and tenor saxophonist Robby Marshall even takes charge on a track named for him. Keyboardists Thomas King and Brandon Coleman both play acoustic and electric pianos and complement the organic air of the music with starker sounds on their Moog and Nord synthesizers and the snappiness of the Hohner Clavinet. A couple early standouts are the jubilance of album closer "Some Happy Shit" and the contemplative sumptuousness of "Moonlight Muse." Artful Joy is an accessible yet elegantly assembled collection of rock solid modern jazz pieces.
Tracks:
1. Seven Grand 1:59
2. Shelley's Guitar 7:19
3. No Frets No Worries 5:30
4. Hara Angelina (featuring Gretchen Parlato) 6:09
5. C'mon, Robby Marshall 7:22
6. Rhythm Changers (featuring Bob Mintzer) 4:07
7. Moonlight Muse 7:32
8. Players Only 5:34
9. Flirty Girl 9:07
10. Good To Be Alive 4:33
11. Some Happy Shit 8:13
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