feature photo: Chris Drucker
The Dave Stryker Trio is the current incarnation of a celebrated line of great guitar/organ/drums soul-jazz trios stretching back to Jimmy Smith, Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes and Stryker’s old employer ‘Captain’ Jack McDuff. It’s an old formula but the guitarist and leader always finds ways to tweak things enough to keep it interesting, like the fun Boomer nostalgia trip 8 Track series, for example. Coming off the ‘return to normal’ type release with Prime, Dave Stryker is again doing something to add to the excitement by making his trio a quartet with the addition of a special guest musician.
The brand new Groove Street boasts Stryker, Jared Gold (organ) and McClenty Hunter (drums) bolstered by the eminent tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer (Yellowjackets, Bob Mintzer Big Band). This collaboration actually grew out of another inspired Stryker diversion, 2020’s Blue Soul, an orchestral jazz record that he made with Mintzer and the WDR Big Band.
Like Prime, Groove Street was cut with nearly all first takes. Moreover, this was the first time the group has played this mostly original material together but you’d never know either of those things from listening to this record. That’s because the veteran Dave Stryker Trio has unsurpassed rapport, but the surprise is that this rapport isn’t diminished in the slightest when they added Mintzer, pointing up to the massive musicianship of these seasoned pros.
Even with Mintzer added, it’s familiar sounding but also additionally appealing to hear Stryker’s guitar lead lines joined by a sax. “Groove Street” is a blues shuffle and Stryker sizzles with octaves that throw off Wes Montgomery vibes. Mintzer quickly settles into a soulful mood that fits the occasion while still being himself. “Overlap” is a deceptively sophisticated melody with Stryker and Mintzer navigating that tricky progression together, and Stryker has no trouble finding the right notes to go with it for his solo turn. “Summit” swings but doesn’t fall for the bop cliches that usually come with that; Mintzer’s liquid delivery that’s neither too hot nor cold makes it even better. Gold comes in at the rear and dishes out a burner.
Yes, Wayne Shorter’s “Infant Eyes” gets covered a lot, but this rendition is one of the very best. Hunter with Gold’s bass pedals puts a pulsing groove under it. Mintzer’s softly rounded delivery keeps the song on a nice simmer and on his turn Gold paces his intensity like the B3 boss that he is. For another cover done right, Eddie Harris’ “Cold Duck” is a perfect vehicle for some funky Mintzer/Stryker unison lines. A smooth, casual mid-tempo interpretation of “The More I See You” sees everyone up their game trading fours.
Stryker plays right into the pocket for the bop cooker “Code Blue” and the Mintzer-composed “Straight Ahead” is as advertised; Mintzer can do this stuff in his sleep but his advanced sax articulations show he’s invested.
Dave Stryker’s mighty trio got mightier with Bob Mintzer thrown in the mix, justifying picking up Groove Street even if you’ve gotten the other DST records.
Groove Street is out now, coming from Dave Stryker’s Strikezone Records imprint.
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