Jeppesen, Scott: El Guapo

West coast musician/arranger/composer Scott Jeppesen has been around the jazz scene for many years working with the likes of the Manhattan Transfer, Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau and Dave Brubeck. He has arranged and composed music for Steve Miller, Natalie Cole and many others. El Guapo is the artists first release as a band leader.

Jeppesen (saxophones, bass clarinet) is joined by John Daversa (trumpet, flugelhorn), Larry Koonse (guitar), Josh Nelson (piano, keyboards), Dave Robaire (bass) and Dan Schnelle (drums).

The title track, a Latin infused jazz number, opens the album and is highlighted by stellar acoustic guitar and Jeppesen's fine sax playing. His soloing here is exceptional, as it is throughout the album. In the R. Beirach penned "Elm" the interplay between guitar and sax is definitely noteworthy and makes for quite a haunting listen. "Great Odin's Raven" features scorching trumpet from Daversa and Nelson's excellent piano soloing. In "I Tend To Agree" Nelson's Fender Rhodes piano adds a dreamy texture to go along with some stellar sax, piano and drum soloing.

The most poignant moment has to be "Prayer For Sandy Hook", a touching tribute to the fallen children of Newtown, Connecticut.

El Guapo is an excellent jazz album with top notch musicianship and inventive playing. Scott Jeppesen might not be a household name in the world of jazz yet, but given time, he will get his 'just do'. He is just too good not to.

Track Listing:
1. El Guapo
2. Elm
3. Great Odin's Raven
4. I Tend To Agree
5. Maybe Later
6. No Drama
7. Overlapping Conversations
8. Hidden
9. Prayer For Sandy Hook
10. Don't Fence Me In

Added: January 16th 2014
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 2215
Language: english

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