ENTRE AMIGOS

MAGPIE: THE MUSIC OF JOE CLARK

Entre Amigos Records

Roy McGrath, tenor & soprano saxophone; Hana Fujisaki, piano; Kitt Lyles, bass; Gustavo Cortiñas, drums.

Entre Amigos is a Chicago supergroup.  This is their second album release featuring saxophonist Roy McGrath who introduces the melody of a tune called “Bernard.”  Every song they play is a tribute to composer and arranger Joe Clark.  Clark’s music has been performed by numerous artists including Yo-Yo Ma and the Chicago Symphony, Randy Brecker and Jeff Hamilton.  Hana Fujisaki takes a noteworthy solo, making sure to utilize all 88-keys, including tickling the higher register with pleasure.

On Clark’s tune, “Magpie” they change gears to a subdued waltz.   This is followed by “The Parliament,” a sultry, melodic piece with an arrangement that spotlights the trio, with the bass of Kitt Lyles lacing through the production and Fujisaki’s piano taking the lead. The drums of Gustavo Cortiñas are powerful throughout, propelling this moderate tempo ballad forward with determination. Roy McGrath’s soprano saxophone flies like a joyful bird above the solid rhythm section.

Joe Clark composes and arranges in a wide variety of styles and genres. Big Bands love his work.  A long list of them have performed Clark’s compositions and played his arrangements including: The Chicago Sinfonietta, Bob Lark and his Alumni Big Band, the Tom Matta Big Band, Mulligan Mosaics nonet, DePaul University Jazz Ensemble, University of Cincinnati CCM Jazz Lab Band and many, many more including The Institute for Learning along with Access and Training at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Joe Clark is a two-time winner of the Union League Civic and Arts Foundation Award, the Sidney and Mary Kleinman Composition Award, a Downbeat Student Music Award, and the Claire and Samuel Edes Foundation Prize for Emerging Artists.

Entre Amigos takes a more personal and concentrated look at Clark’s composing skills and translates them in a very succinct way.   On “Heaven on Seven” they bring back the music of the 1920s in their arrangement, leaning heavily towards the Stride piano days and the boisterous New Orleans early jazz period.  Cortiñas tap-dances all over his trap drums, lending joy to the production. Roy McGrath is full of energy and excellence on his tenor sax.  They close with a tune called “Potato” that swings soulfully at a moderate tempo and includes several breaks that keep the listener attentive and paying attention right from the start.  Soon, the quartet leads us down a blues path, with Lyles showing off his mastery on double bass. This is a tight little unit of musicians who are each super talented. Their camaraderie and comfort level with each other is evident in this entertaining production as they introduce us to the magnificent music of Joe Clark.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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