Preston Frazier’s Best of 2020 Jazz includes Wayne Escoffery, Gary Husband and Markus Reuter, Nick Finzer and Wolfgang Muthspiel, among others:
LINDSEY WEBSTER – A WOMAN LIKE ME (VOCAL JAZZ): Casting aside my dislike of the term, smooth jazz is one of my musical obstacles. Luckily editor S. Victor Aaron recommended A Woman Like Me to me or I would have dismissed it as smooth jazz. Lindsey Webster is an accomplished jazz vocalist with a diverse catalog. This first Best of 2020 Jazz entry utilized her wide-ranging voice with string arrangements and A-level musicians including Nathan East, Vinnie Colauita and Mike DeMicco. Songs like “One Step Forward” and “Feels Like Forever” reach even the biggest smooth-jazz cynic. A Woman Like Me did what good music should do: It touched an emotional place, drawing you in and makes you smile.
WOLFGANG MUTHSPIEL, SCOTT COLLEY + BRIAN BLADE – ANGULAR BLUES (JAZZ): Drummer Brian Blade recounted his experience playing with guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel and bassist Scott Colley in a recent Something Else! interview, mentioning the near telepathy between the players. “Wondering,” the first song on Angular Blues, was an example of that telepathy, with seamless interaction between the trio. Muthspiel’s compositions deceptively hid their complexity and nuance at first glance. Yet each additional listening uncovered a new level of joy. All the players were given room to stretch and feed off of each other. Wolfgang Muthspiel’s tone and textures were hypnotic, and bassist Scott Colley provided a rhythmic tension with his interactions with Blade. Another favorite from the album was “Camino,” but you can’t go wrong with any of the songs on Angular Blues.
DERRICK HODGE – COLOR OF NOIZE (JAZZ FUSION): Simply categorizing Derek Hodge as a bass player is a criminal understatement. The Grammy award-winning musician is known for his work with Common, Maxwell and the Robert Glasper Experiment, and also has a notable solo career. Color of Noize may well be his most challenging yet rewarding work to date. Hodge co-produced the album with label head Don Was, composing songs that allowed a broad canvas for his musical collaborators to add their colors and textures. There were touches of traditional jazz, hip-hop, and R&B. Furthermore, Hodge operated without a net, recording the band live. The resulting album was bold, provocative and compelling. Check out “Fall” and the title track to become a true believer.
PAT COIL – MUSIC FOR HUMANS AND OTHER SPECIES (JAZZ): Keyboardist and composer Pat Coil released a finely crafted, fan-financed solo album. Anyone who has caught Michael McDonald over the last few years is already aware of Coil’s chops on the Hammond B3. However, he’s had a long and fruitful solo career as a bandleader, as well. The 10 tracks on my next Best of 2020 Jazz honoree, all produced by Pat Coli, leaned heavily on his melodic sensibilities. “Lost and Found” was a dense and powerful opener, where Coil’s acoustic piano danced with Mark Douthit’s tenor sax. The album had a wide-ranging feel, as “3 ’til Midnight” demonstrated Pat Coil’s arranging chops, as he utilized vibes, percussion, drums, and electric bass. Music for Humans and Other Species was delightfully layered, and a sonic throwback to keyboard-led jazz albums of the ’70s.
SUSIE BLUE AND THE LONESOME FELLAS – BYE BYE BLUES (WESTERN SWING): I’m often asked if I miss living in Chicago, and I usually answer with a resounding “no.” Yet, one thing I do miss is occasionally seeing Solitaire Miles performing as her alter ego Susie Blue. After a sublime 2015 self-titled release (and top 2015 jazz pick), she returned with the Lonesome Fellas for another go-round of Western swing. More diverse than its predecessor, Bye Bye Blues was a raucous collection played by expert musicians and led by Miles’ versatile and compelling vocal instrument. Sure, Evanston-based harmonica icon and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones member Howard Levy supplied his expertise on several tracks (check him out in “Drivin’ Nails in My Coffee”), but the star was Solitaire Miles’ fantastic, versatile voice and its melding with the world-class band. Violinist Javier Chaparro and the great cowboy singer Keith Weber also made noteworthy contributions. “Back in My Baby’s Arms” was nothing short of stunning.
JAKE SHIMABUKURO TRIO – TRIO (JAZZ): It has four strings but it’s not a bass. Still, in the hands of a master like Jake Shimabukuro, the ukulele makes a powerful and lasting statement. On Trio, Shimabukuro teamed up with Dave Preston on guitar and bassist Nolan Verner. The resulting sparks quickly made you forget this was just a trio of musicians. The melodic combination created pop-infused, hook-laden jazz. Vocalist Rachel James from the band Dearing added her vocal talents to the Fleetwood Mac classic “Landslide.” The song selection also included the Pink Floyd classic “Wish You Were Here.” All of it served to highlight the expertise of this trio; this album was a sheer delight.
ALEX WINTZ TRIO – LIVE TO TAPE (JAZZ): Alex Wintz’s Live to Tape was a compelling display of the guitarist, composer and educator’s chops, taste and improvisational powers. Working with bassist Dave Baron and drummer Jimmy Macbride, Wintz went a more direct route than his formidable 2017 debut as a leader, LifeCycle. “Idris” opened this Best of 2020 Jazz entry with Wintz’s warm, evocative tone and confident voicing. The trio displayed a strutting confidence which made the songs instantly compelling. While Alex Wintz’s four original songs were engrossing, so were his covers. “What Me Worry” was a daring take on the St. Vincent song from 2007’s Marry Me. At a time when concerts are on hiatus, Live to Tape gives us a needed dose.
NIR FELDER – NIR FELDER II (JAZZ FUSION): New York-based guitarist Nir Felder’s II was an evocative and luscious effort. Felder, double bassist Matt Penman and drummer Jimmy McBride created a soundscape that’s both melodically and texturally complex. “Interregnum” was forward leaning and fast paced, benefiting from Nir’s delicate touch. “Big Heat” added additional elements such as overdubbed samples, allowing the trio to paint on an even wider canvas. Ultimately, Felder’s compositional and arranging skills wre a perfect blend with the band’s power.
NICK FINZER – CAST OF CHARACTERS (JAZZ): Not only does Nick Finzer have an excellent record company (Outside In Music) and podcast, he also continues to raise the bar release after release. Cast of Characters was yet another gem. This time, Finzer invited sax player Lucas Pino, guitarist Alex Wintz, pianist Glenn Zaleski, bassist Dave Baron and drummer Jimmy Macbride into his big musical tent. Their harmonious interaction over the 14 Nick Finzer compositions was nothing short of magical. “A Sorcerer (Is a Myth)” started Cast of Characters with communal alchemy. The sonic tension and feel kept rising, song after song. “The Guru” was the ultimate display of Finzer’s powers, bringing things to a climax. Pino, Wintz and Finzer have all had albums on my best-of lists over the past few years. Cast of Characters continued that trend.
GARY HUSBAND & MARKUS REUTER – MUSIC OF OUR TIME (JAZZ FUSION): As a long-time fan of Stick Men *featuring Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto and Markus Reuter), I was looking forward to their summer 2020 tour. That obviously didn’t happen, yet there was still plenty of new music from them collectively and individually to explore. One of my favorite discoveries was the collaboration between the multi-talented Gary Husband and Markus Reuter. Music of Our Time came together after the cancellation of Stick Men dates in Japan and China. Recorded live on March 3, 2020 and produced by Reuter and Leonardo Pavkovic, this recording was simply beautiful. Husband added warmth to everything on his grand piano, while allowing ample space for Reuter’s Touch Guitar. The starkness of “Colour of Sorrow” created shapes which change with every listening. “White Horses (for Allan)” was simply memorizing. The tones and shades Markus Reuter created on his Touch Guitar and electronics conjured images that are otherworldly yet and grounded by Husband. The contrast and sonics between the two was fascinating. It’s all the more remarkable given this musical landscape was created in just one day.
WAYNE ESCOFFERY – THE HUMBLE WARRIOR (JAZZ): Almost 20 years as a bandleader has demonstrated that Wayne Escoffery is, on more than a few occasions, brilliant. In case you need another example from the tenor saxophonist, check out my top pick for Best of 2020 Jazz. Surrounded by a crack band which included trumpeter Randy Brecker, pianist David Kikoski, bassist Ugonna Okegwo, drummer Ralph Peterson and guitarist David Gilmore, Escoffrey unleashed a memorable collection of mostly original songs. His muscular yet expressive sound came through loud and clear on the opener, “Chain Gang.” His quartet, supplemented by Brecker and Gilmore, displayed telepathy honed by years of gigging together. “Sanctus” and “Benedictus” offered different shades of Wayne Escoffery, yet showed he doesn’t play it safe. We thank him for that.
BEST OF 2020 JAZZ HONORABLE MENTIONS
MARK WADE – SONGS FROM ISOLATION (JAZZ): Composer, band leader and three-time Downbeat magazine poll finalist Mark Waden followed up his 2018 album of note, Moving Day, with the solo release Songs From Isolation. Forgoing the trio format, Wade included five selections performed solely by him on electric or triple bass. A New York City resident, Wade put isolation in his residence to good use. What resulted was a fascinating blend of compositions which were as impressive as they were inspiring. “Hours Till Dawn” immediately drew you in with its percussive double-bass foundation and equally evocative solos. Wade employed multi-tracking to provide a fully realized rhythmic foundation. “Blues in Isolation” created an almost outer-worldly atmosphere with its stark yet warm feel. Wade’s decision to use only the double bass on this song seemed risky, yet again the music was fully fleshed out and swinging, even before the bowed main theme entered. The visual presentation was equally stunning. The final song, “Nothing Like You,” featuring vocalist Teri Leggio Wade, was a joyous and slightly off-kilter take on a Gil Evans arrangement. The combination of Mark Wade’s acoustic bass and Teri Leggio Wade’s vocal brought this album to a fascinating and satisfying end.
RAPHAEL PANNIER QUARTET – FAUNE (JAZZ): Band leader and drummer Raphael Pannier conspired with sax player Miguel Zenon, bassist Francois Moutin and pianist Giorgi Mikadze to create one of the most stunning debuts of the year. Dynamic and thematically vibrant, Pannier combined originals and standards to produce an otherworldly record, leaving the listener captivated. Faune, which is French for wildlife, was an apt title for this project, which melded French, Puerto Rican and New York elements to create something new and original. “Lonely Woman” demanded repeated listening, as arranger/sax player Zenon danced with Raphael Pannier’s snare and cymbal work out while pianist Mikadze added different splashes of color. “E.S.P.,” written by Wayne Shorter, showed another side of the band which was no less intriguing. My final Best of 2020 Jazz honorable-mention album was a musical gem.
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