Jazz drummer Bill Stewart certainly paid his dues, having gigged with the likes of John Scofield, Maceo Parker and James Brown. Yes, that James Brown!
On his 11th release, Band Menu, Stewart teams up with bassist Larry Grenadier and tenor saxophone player Walter Smith III for a smorgasbord of modern jazz laced with throwback elements. There’s even a tender cover of the Bill Evans ballad “Re: Person I Knew.” These players take their time, stretching out into bebop and blues territory -- and beyond. Although all three players bring it, Smith III dominates these nine pieces with his melodic turns. Grenadier lays the foundation flawlessly, and Stewart emerges as the sophisticated elder statesman calling the shots.
The clever packaging is just as entertaining as the music, with a “band menu” musicians will love. Options include “Pay Your Dues Fondue,” “Wilted Recording Contract Salad,” “Hand Rolled Drum Rug with Perspiration Reduction,” “Caramelized Expired U.S. Passport ‘a la mode’” and “Mixed Sorbets with Freshly Grated Cymbal Stand Felts.”
Track Listing:
1. Band Menu
2. F U Donald
3. Re: Person I Knew
4. Good Goat
5. Hair and Teeth
6. Invocation
7. Modren
8. Apollo
9. Think Before You Think
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