Tom Kennedy: Just Play!

An accomplished musician known for his prowess on electric bass, Tom Kennedy fronts a nine-piece ensemble of top-notch players delivering engaging new interpretations of well-known jazz standards on Just Play!, his fourth album as leader. While much of his experience performing progressive and mainstream jazz has been on the electric bass, Kennedy's first experience began on double bass at the age of eleven. Here, the bassist leads the performance on his vintage St. Louis legend Jerry Cherry Bohemian upright bass.

The album takes on special significance for the bassist as he dedicates the project to his brother Ray, a pianist and composer with whom he has previously recorded, but who no longer performs since the onset of multiple sclerosis in 2008. With a little help from the likes of saxophonist great George Garzone, trumpeter Tim Hagans and guitarists Lee Ritenour and Mike Stern, Kennedy and crew flex their muscle in an exciting session of contemporary and traditional melody rich, bop-infused jazz, beginning with Sonny Rollins's fire-breathing, hard-bop signature, "Airegin."

Kennedy's assertive bass work is on display here, with plenty of extensive solos; one of the best is on Bobby Timmons' classic "Moanin.'" Garzone is one of the main forces of the disc, wielding his mighty tenor with expressive authority throughout. Ritenour, with whom the bassist has collaborated on many other endeavors, also makes his presence known on this soulful tune. Though there's plenty of outstanding quick-finger play by Kennedy on his robust take on Victor Young's "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes," it's the horn section of Hagans, trombonist John Allred and second saxophonist Steve Wirts that have the pronounced roles.

Drummer Dave Weckl also delivers solid performances here, and on Lee Morgan's immortal "Ceora," he lays down the brushes in tasteful fashion while pianist Renee Rosnes applies a little gentleness on the keys to make this rendition one of the best around. The only non-standard and perhaps, the most spacious piece of the set, is the lengthy (10+ minutes) Stern original "One Liners," where the guitarist takes center stage. Returning to standards, Kennedy's arrangement of Duke Ellington's oft-recorded classic, "In A Sentimental Mood," features Garzone and does not stray far from the original melody.

Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way," recorded in November, 2012—a month before Brubeck's passing—features some terrific work from Rosnes and serves as a tribute to the late piano master. Cedar Walton's energetic "Bolivia" is introduced by Kennedy's solid playing, continuing throughout, while Cole Porter's familiar "What Is This Thing Called Love" rounds out one of the finest sets of straight-ahead material produced to date. Kennedy's album title seems to capture it all: music from a talent-rich cast, invigorating arrangements and exciting musical statements forged by two simple words: Just Play!

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