There are a lot of fine saxophonist players of many stripes, but when I think of a tenor saxophone in the classical sense in all its soul-drenched glory, I think of the saxophone of Joel Frahm.
Frahm has been very active as a sideman, educator, and an occasional partner with former high school classmate Brad Mehldau but that’s left him little time to record as a leader since Live At Small’s from a decade ago. That’s what makes his new, upcoming album The Bright Side a real event, an opportunity to once again hear his big, warm, fluid horn at the center.
Frahm’s trio for The Bright Side is literally half of Ernesto Cervini’s lauded Turboprop sextet; drummer Cervini and bassist Dan Loomis join Frahm in a chordless trio. Though this is Frahm’s record, a lot of democracy is allowed as all three share in the songwriting chores. From heated bop workouts like “Boo Dip Dip” to sensitively-delivered laments such as “The Beautiful Mystery,” the Joel Frahm Trio reminds us of the magic that can come from just a reeded horn, double-bass and a drum kit.
“Thinking of Benny” premieres in the video above, a song Frahm wrote honoring one of his saxophone heroes, the living icon Benny Golson. The song swings likes nobody’s business and Frahm’s genuine, soulful delivery is of the sort not heard much on contemporary jazz recordings like it used to but deserves to be. Loomis and Cervini (in a call-and-response with Frahm) are likewise honoring tradition with acuity during their own asides.
The Bright Side is set for release June 25th, and it’s coming from Anzic Records.
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