Daniel Bennett has been continuously creative during the pandemic and lockdowns. Like many musicians, he has found ways of produce high quality music and collaborate with other musicians around the world. He has been praised for his journalism and inspirational videos, which encouraged others to keep an objective view and have faith that things would eventually get a little better.
As if to emphasize the positives, Bennett has recorded an album – conceived outside, under snow-covered heat lamps at New York City Jazz clubs. New York Nerve is more than a recording of stellar musicians playing together: It is proof that even under strictest lockdown rules, magic can and does happen.
“Outdoor music was our thing this year,” says Bennett, a touring clinician and associate director of the New York Jazz Academy in Times Square. “The Earth was our stage.”
New York Nerve features Bennett on saxophone, flute and clarinet; Kevin Hailey on bass; Assaf Kehati on guitar; and Koko Bermejo on drums. This quartet was the first jazz group to record in Manhattan after the studios re-opened in 2020.
“Television” kicks things off, and Daniel Bennett’s trademark repeated motifs of rhythm patterns mark this number, along with steady support, an interesting guitar backline and a stand out sax solo during which Bennett explores the scalar extremities of his instrument.
[SOMETHING ELSE! INTERVIEW: Jazz reedist Daniel Bennett joined S. Victor Aaron for a Something Else! Sitdown on how to thrive in – and after – the pandemic age.]
“The Town Supervisor” bases itself around a six-note motif which is in turn based in a 6/8 rhythm pattern, which is retracted and extended at different times, creating a settled, gentle rolling theme. Assaf Kehati’s guitar picks up and improvises around the central motif whilst the sax solo develops it more, culminating in a fast-fingered rivulet of sound, which the guitar responds to and the conversation continues. All over rock steady lines and back support from bass and drums.
“Gold Star Mufflers” is opened with a big-band rally over Hailey’s busy, vibrant bass before again, a rhythmic pattern is settled in. This time though, there is variation and the couplets are linked by an instinctive pick-up from the bass. The sax solo again is extensive and shows the dexterity of an alto sax in the hands of a musician like Bennett. Kehati’s guitar solo, punctuated by quirky percussion is adventurous yet somehow manages to evoke a laid-back atmosphere, which the sax takes through to the finish.
“Human Playback” is Koko Bermejo’s thumping drums and Kevin Hailey’s rocky bass over which the sax sings, the uplifting lines evoking a sense of rising while the integral clapping gives the sense of many others, which perhaps echoes the theme of the title. Daniel Bennett’s fall-back of running motifs gives way to Assaf Kehati’s beautiful guitar interlude, before the sax reflects the melody back. The whole number then takes on a surreal atmosphere while Bennett improvises, musing along the musical lines, the scales and harmonics in a pleasing interlude that takes “Human Playback” to the finish.
“Rattlesnake” is fast, tricky and sees a crazy interaction between guitar, bass and sax, each following their own lines interlinked by the key alone. Bennett shows he can improvise with the best of them: This is the free side of New York jazz shining through, and a smile played on the face of this reviewer. Improvisation on an album by Daniel Bennett is something long-awaited and boy, does Bennett deliver. “Rattlesnake” eventually evolves into a beautifully worked melody with uber-steady backing. This is the absolute standout track on New York Nerve.
“The County Clerk” seems a tame fellow after the previous track, and Bennett and Co. once again work around a steady, harmonic melody and theme which makes it a great track to finish on. There are a couple of great solos from guitar and sax too, with Spanish-influenced guitar contrasting with the smooth sax. Bennett takes a little liberty with both rhythm and time pattern at some points, which are intriguing and maintains interest to the end.
New York Nerve reflects Bennett’s up-beat and generous appeal. He has put together an album which reflects his compositional skill as well as his improvisational abilities, and New York Nerve is something well worth obtaining. Along the way he’s been described as one of the most original and unpredictable musical voices of his generation but I beg to disagree. Daniel Bennett is predictable in that his music will always be worth listening to.
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