Combs, Paul: Unknown Dameron

Here is a musician (Paul Combs) paying respects to an artist he considers to be highly influential and largely ignored by many in the jazz community. I am talking about Tadd Dameron, arranger/composer/pianist who sadly passed away from cancer in 1965. Combs, an exceptional musician in his own right, became very interested in the work of Dameron and researched the musician rigorously for this project. He has assembled twelve musicians and cover twelve of Dameron’s least known tracks, some never before recorded.

First up is “Conversation�, a vibrant piece with colourful saxophone and trumpet solos. The tone Combs gets on his sax is really cool. The ensuing trumpet solo is just as sublime. On “Moon From The East�, laid back trumpet lines and busy drums set the stage for another one of Comb’s fantastic sax solos. If you dig bop in your jazz this tune should be right up your alley. “Take A Chance On Spring� features the vocals of Danielle Wertz. Her voice is superb and she also does some fine scatting, her voice acting like an instrument here trading licks with Combs’ stellar sax. This is old school jazz which just might bring you back a few decades. With “Zakat�, never before recorded until now, the band bops with pure delight as the horns and piano are particularly inspiring. The trumpet, piano and sax solos are in a word, tasty.

He may be gone but Paul Combs has ensured us he should never be forgotten. Highly recommended.

Track Listing:
1. Conversation (6:18)
2. Moon From The East (5:49)
3. Take A Chance On Spring (4:15)
4. Don’t Forget It (3:36)
5. The Search (6:47)
6. Never Been In Love (6:57)
7. Sando Latino (6:28)
8. A La Bridges (3:31)
9. Weekend (6:34)
10. Zakat (5:09)
11. Come Close (5:59)
12. The Rampage (6:35)

Added: March 1st 2020
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1090
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]