feature photo: Dahlia Katz
Saxophone savant Joel Frahm and his trio have a new set of tracks coming out that proves the continuing vitality of mainstream jazz.
The upcoming Lumination album features Dan Loomis on acoustic bass, and Ernesto Cervini on drums. Frahm’s trio is essentially a spinoff of Cervini’s celebrated Turboprop sextet, which additionally has a piano and two more horns. In this runt form, the playful, sympathetic discourse among the three is looser and more telepathic. Frahm is a tenor sax force unto himself but generously allows his bandmates to shine as much as he does, with Loomis and Cervini even contributing tunes alongside Frahm’s own originals.
One of Loomis’ songs is highlighted here in the video premiering above. “Vesper Flights” launches with a “Love Supreme”-like serenity, easing into a relaxed swing. With no chordal instrument, Loomis does his job providing the harmonic framework upon which Frahm does his sweetly soulful thing. Loomis himself gets in an inspired solo, and all of it is buttressed by Cervini’s light-footed swing.
The Joel Frahm Trio’s Lumination will release worldwide on October 4th 2024 from Anzic Records.
*** Joel Frahm CDs and vinyl on Amazon ***
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