JASON FORSYTHE

IT’S ABOUT TIME

Holistic MusicWorks

Jason Forsythe, trombone/composer/arranger; Michael Weiss, piano; Ugonna Okegwo, bass; Andy Watson, drums; Steve Davis, Trombone; Walt Welskopf, tenor saxophone; Brian Lynch, trumpet/flugelhorn. GUESTS: Kenny Rampton, trumpet; Donny McCaslin, tenor saxophone.

The title of Jason Forsythe’s debut album says it all; “It’s About Time!”  You will hear a collection of his original tunes that explore various musical styles including Latin-influenced jazz compositions, swing, and Straight-ahead jazz.

He opens with “Fourth Rites” inviting Walt Weiskopf to step forward and solo on tenor sax. Then Steve Davis takes an innovative solo on trombone.  This is followed by Brian Lynch blasting on the scene with his trumpet brilliance. The horns remind the listener of the composition’s melody as the tune fades out.

As a New York trombonist, Jason Forsythe spent many years playing in Latin dance bands.

“My sextet music comes directly out of that experience. The music was all about dancing and having fun, always accessible, never academic or esoteric, always swinging and rhythmic; always connecting with people enjoying the dance floor,” Forsythe describes his latest project.

This is clearly his purpose with tunes like “Simple Samba,” where pianist Michael Weiss soaks up the spotlight during his solo.  Weiss and Forsythe go way back. They have been friends for nearly forty years. Weiss was a member of Jason Forsythe’s original emerging band.

Forsythe’s compositions are harmonically sophisticated. A tune he calls “The Professor” lends a melody you may want to whistle along with as you listen. It’s quite melodic and the band swings.

Although most of the songs on this album will tickle the dance in you, they are full of energy and rhythm, there are a couple of very beautiful ballads like “It’s Got To Be Sweetness” and another crowd-pleaser called, “Sentimental.”  “Sentimental” begins as a ballad, but Watson’s energized drums soon turn this arrangement into a double-time, Latin-leaning arrangement.

The band plays “Probandame,” another Forsythe tune rooted in rhythm. They swing with a sense of musical joy.  Andy Watson opens Forsythe’s composition titled “Outer Limits” with solo drums blasting for the first several bars. When the horns join in, they quiet the moment with melodic beauty.

To close out this album he invites two guests to participate.  Kenny Rampton on the trumpet, and Donny McCaslin is featured on tenor saxophone. The composition is called “Sanctity.” It completes this album like a slowly whispered prayer.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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