BALTIMORE JAZZ COLLECTIVE

Stricker Street Records

Sean Jones, trumpet; Brinae Ali, tap/vocals; Todd Marcus, bass clarinet; Alex Brown, piano; Kris Funn, bass; Quincy Phillips, drums.

The thing I love about the Baltimore Jazz Collective is that they have their very own unique sound. This aggregation has a personality unlike any group I’ve heard. They proudly represent Baltimore, Maryland.

From the very first original composition titled “Minor Swing,” (composed by Cyrus Chestnut, arranged by drummer Quincy Phillips), the addition of a tap dancer to the mix grabs my attention, like hot fudge on a cold Sundae. It’s sweet and delightful.

Founder of Baltimore Jazz Collective (BJC) Sean Jones is a trumpeter and educator.  Jones is the Richard and Elizabeth Case Chair of Jazz Studies at the Peabody Conservatory of Music and Dance at Johns Hopkins University. They have supported the Collective since its founding in 2019.

“Musicians here perform at the highest level. It’s really a one-of-a-kind place,” Sean brags about the artistic organization that spearheads and supports some of this awesome creativity in Baltimore.

The bass clarinet of Todd Marcus opens Track #2.  This “Red-lined- Intro,” is followed by the song “Red-lined.” Finally, “Red-lined Outro” completes the trilogy title. All reflect the awesome composer talents of pianist, Alex Brown.  Towards the middle of the “Intro” portion of the song, Quincy Phillips shines on an outstanding drum solo. His percussive brilliance leads us into the melody itself. Then, the composition breaks into a Straight-ahead, blues-based arrangement, before melting into the “Outro” piece of the tune. It’s an interesting concept.

The drummer and bassist are native Baltimoreans. Alex Brown is a pianist from nearby Columbia, Maryland. Jones is from Michigan, Marcus and Ali are transplants from Ohio and New Jersey.  Every member is a competent composer.

Funn explains, “Baltimore’s jazz scene has always been steeped in the blues, a groove and feeling. Performances are interactive experiences, where the artist and the audience are equally essential.” 

 Funn has contributed a tune called “Watermelon” that features warm vocals singing the repetitive melody and giving Brown a rich rhythm section groove, inspiring his fingers to dance over the piano keys. The Jones Trumpet and the Marcus bass clarinet hold a musical conversation. The tune is meant to celebrate Baltimore’s street vendor population. “Link to Lateef” composed by Marcus, celebrates musical icon, Yusef Lateef.

Not only does this music spotlight the talented Peabody Jazz faculty, it celebrates Baltimore as one of America’s epicenters of creativity and culture.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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