The John Fedchock Quartet: Fluidity

Summit Records
By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Fluidity

I’ve always been partial to jazz trombone. During the big band era, I was knocked out by artists such as Bill Harris, Bob Brookmeyer, Carl Fontana, Bill Watrous, Frank Rosolino, Kai Winding and J.J. Johnson; these days, it’s John Fedchock. 

Born during the latter years of that wonderful era, Fedchock studied at Ohio State University and the Eastman School of Music. He began his career in the 1980s, touring with Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd for seven years, during which time he was a featured soloist, musical director and arranger. 

Fedchock also worked with the likes of Thelonious Monk, Gerry Mulligan, Louie Bellson and the Manhattan Jazz Orchestra. These days, he fronts his own big band and smaller combos. Fluidity, recorded live at the Havanah Nights Club, features him in a quartet setting with pianist John Toomey, bassist Jimmy Masters and drummer Dave Ratajczak.

This release is deliciously relaxed and beautifully performed. Six of the nine tracks are well-known standards, done at moderate and balladic tempos: they include “East of the Sun,” “The Days of Wine and Roses” and “I’ve Never Been in Love Before.” Such immediately familiar tunes clearly had a positive impact on the musicians and their audience. 

Additionally, just to make sure everyone had something to groove to, the guys included a few charts composed by Fedchock — “Havanah” and “Under the Radar” — along with Joe Henderson’s “Homestretch.”

Fedchock produces a great tone from his horn. At ballad tempos, it’s smooth, pure and expressive; conversely, during up-tempo movers, he gets a little rougher and more strident ... and really grabs you by the throat! His solos are inventive at any tempo. 

His cohorts are the ideal complement; Fedchock has known and played with them for years. Toomey and Ratajczak also attended the Eastman School of Music, and the latter isn’t your average jazz drummer; he also worked in the pit bands for numerous Broadway shows.

Fedchock’s liner notes are excellent and informative, so don't ignore them. Sadly, the Havanah Nights Club — like too many similar venues — folded not long after this live session. Finally, and sadly, Ratajczak passed away from cancer, less than a year later. He’ll be missed.

But be sure you don’t miss this release. It’s an excellent reminder of the top-notch jazz still available in (ever fewer?) venues nationwide

Glenn Wilson: Timely

Cadence Jazz
By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Timely

If the recent albums crossing my desk are any indication, bebop is alive and doing quite well. 

The artists who make up this particular quintet, starting with drummer Tony Martucci, have been — and still are — masters of that jazz genre. Although the geographic areas where groups like this operate usually center around New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles or Seattle, these individuals reside and work in and around Virginia. Some are professors in nearby upper-echelon universities.

In the words of one group member, they’re all “veterans, rather than young lions." Each has spent 30 years or more with various name bands and local combos. Baritone saxman (and leader) Glenn Wilson spent time with Buddy Rich, as did trumpeter John D’earth. Bassist Jimmy Masters, pianist John Toomey and Martucci worked with literally dozens of the combos that frequent East Coast states ... often sharing gigs with each other. 

This release contains eight tunes, several by “names” such as Pepper Adams, Wayne Shorter and Bob Bolden; the rest are original compositions by members of Martucci’s combo. The common denominator is that everything swings like crazy. 

The album was recorded during a two-day period, and to a live audience, at the Havana Nights Jazz Club in Virginia Beach, Va. As usually is the case, the audience contributed positively to the quality of the music; the artists always are “juiced” by enthusiastic patrons, and also by each other. 

Martucci does an outstanding job: both as a key member of the rhythm section, and with respect to phrasing and solo distribution. To put it another way, he’s first a driving force, and there aren’t a lot of drum solos. (Take note, Rich and Belson!) The other instrumentalists are excellent in all respects. And, believe it or not, several tracks are moving balladic tunes that are truly danceable.

Great job, guys! I’ll definitely keep my ears tuned in your direction.