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Merrimack Records - MR10162 |
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Jay Thomas (trumpet, flugelhorn & soprano sax); John Hansen (piano); Paul Gabrielson (bass); Jon Wikan (drums) Recorded live at Tula's Jazz Club (Seattle, WA) on March 2nd & 3rd, 2001 |
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A "live" recording by one of the country's top bebop artists. Jay's live performances have the feel of the after hours clubs where he first tested his jazz chops and his live CDs have gained high marks from audiences in the US, Canada, Japan and Europe. This seventh CD from leader Jay Thomas and his quartet swings from the very first note! |
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* * * * * JAY’S COMMENTS:
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* * * * * “Live at Tula's Vol.2” REVIEWS By Jim Santella, Cadence Magazine - January 2002 From a live session, Live at Tula’s, Volume 2, marks Jay Thomas’
seventh album as a leader. Volume 1, which took place in 1997-1998,
contained the same enthusiasm for straight ahead fire as Volume
2. This time out, however, the band cooks with a spirit that espouses
more freedom from traditional melodic and harmonic ties. Thomas
started playing trumpet in the fourth grade. Much later, after a
dozen years of paying his jazz dues professionally, he picked up
the saxophones and flute. Several noted jazz artists play trumpet
and saxophone well: among them Benny Carter and Ira Sullivan. The
rich tone and natural facility Thomas has developed on each instrument
comes as quite a surprise. Many artists do one thing and do it well.
Thomas has become equally proficient on each instrument and feels
right at home improvising before an audience. His quartet swings,
while sending nods to Thelonious Monk, J.J. Johnson and Sonny Rollins.
They hold special allegiance to Miles Davis’ mid-sixties band.
Thomas has said that he feel a live performance contains more excitement
than most studio situations, and that the songs tend to be longer,
looser and contain more improvisation. This holds true for his latest
session, as leader, pianist, bassist and drummer stretch out for
an impressive program. |
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R-Hour
The melody is highly infectious. If you are not careful you will
find yourself humming it in the shower. What is This Thing
Called Love is a standard that we have re-harmonized and
opened up. From listening to this it is obvious the band members
have all logged more than a few hours listening to Miles' band of
the mid 60's. Lament, in my humble opinion, is one
of the all time great ballads written. Belltown is
a tune John Hansen composed and very much like John, it is full
of dry wit and humor and has a funky streak that is rooted in the
hard bop tradition. Sweet and Lovely is the last song
we recorded on Saturday night and was totally on the fly. We had
an Afro 6/8 going, a medium swing and double time all at once!!!
But it worked! The Loneliest Room, a ballad is loaded
with atmosphere. I think we succeeded in creating an evocative mood.
Without A Song is a composition that jazz players
have been enamored of for a long time. The rhythm section does some
wicked and devious kicks over the melody that are cool but are surprising
sounding. Watts Up is a tune where twists and turns
abound. There also is more than a passing nod to Monk in this tune.
This melody to my ears has a humorous good-natured feeling and definitely
makes my toes tap. --- Jay Thomas