Half Notes: Ernie Krivda – Blues for Pekar (2011)

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Tenor man Ernie Krivda pays tribute to a fellow Cleveland resident, the late writer (American Splendor) and jazz critic Harvey Pekar in this lickety-split throwback bebop recording, out today on CD and DVD formats through Capri Records. Krivda only stops to take a breath during the lastingly beautiful “Darn that Dream,” by Jimmy Van Heusen. That’s the exception that proves the tongue-wagging rule here, though. For proof look no further than their scalding take on Dexter Gordon’s “Fried Bananas,” a thumping romp. Krivda appears throughout with a rhythm section dubbed the Detroit Connection that includes drummer Renell Gonsalves (son of longtime Duke Ellington sideman Paul Gonsalves), and also welcomes trumpeter Sean Jones on two tracks — “Bananas” and the smoking Sonny Rollins tune “Valse Hot.” Trumpet and flugelhorn player Dominick Farinacci sits in on the opening standard “End of a Love Affair,” a shifty delight, and on the sharply percussive title track.

‘Half Notes’ are quick-take thoughts on music from Something Else! Reviews, presented whenever the mood strikes us.

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Nick DeRiso