Fans of Aaron Comess’ work with the Spin Doctors are to be forgiven if his forthcoming new jazz project leads to some head scratching.
The truth is, though, that Comess has long professed a love for mid 1960s-era recordings by Miles Davis and John Coltrane — even as his more recent solo outings have seen Comess move far afield of the chart-climbing, neo-hippie fun rock that made his main band famous. Comess was, in fact, twice named best jazz soloist in Downbeat’s High School Student Awards.
With all of that new information in mind, check out this exclusive advance stream from Aaron Comess Quintet, which finds the drummer leading a crack group of collaborators through one of John Coltrane’s signature tunes at the Smoke Jazz and Supper Club in New York City. Playing with a smooth confidence, that lengthy relationship with the music shines through.
Kevin Loftis, Barney McAll, Richard Hammon and Teddy Kumpel — alumni from bands led by such jazz greats as Kenny Garrett, Jimmy Cobb, Roy Hargrove and Gary Bartz, among others — join Comess for an album recorded over three live sets. Coltrane’s “Resolution” is featured along with a choice cover of Eddie Harris’ “Freedom Jazz Suite” (made famous, of course, by Miles), as well as originals by Aaron Comess and Kevin Loftis.
Aaron Comess touched on some of his more jazz-inflected tendencies with 2011’s Beautiful Mistake, before making a bold return to rootsy rock on 2014’s Blues for Use. With this new project, he provides a focused opportunity to see what a new generation of acolytes can do with towering achievements like “Resolution.” Comess plans an album-release party March 21 at Rockwood Music Hall in New York City.
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