JOE SYRIAN MOTOR CITY JAZZ OCTET

SECRET MESSAGE

Circle 9 Records

Joe Syrian, drums/bandleader; Adam Bimbaum, piano; Paul Bollenback, guitars; Lorin Cohen, acoustic & electric bass; Carl Maraghi, alto & baritone saxophone; Tim Ries, tenor saxophone; Dave Riekenberg, tenor saxophone/bass clarinet; Nick Marchionne, trumpet/flugelhorn; Doug Beavers, trombone. SPECIAL GUESTS: Kenny Washington, vocals; Joe Locke, vibraphone; Luisito Quintero, percussion.

As soon as I heard the Joe Syrian Motor City Jazz Octet play their first eight bars, I became totally relaxed and started smiling. This is music that reminds me of home, of 1960 jazz, of the Minor Key, of Bakers Keyboard Lounge, of Detroit. Veteran drummer, Joe Syrian, offer us familiar jazz and pop standard tunes, painted with straight ahead energy and unrelenting swing. They start out with “Bye Bye Blackbird” that every serious jazz group has played at least once in their stage-time.  The horns lead, with voicings holding harmonic hands.  Adam Bimbaum steps stage front and displays his mastery on the 88-piano-keys in a very engaging way.  The guitar of Paul Bollenback offers unforgettable solos throughout and Nick Marchionne’s trumpet solo knocks me out.

This band gathers a group of songs together like a sweet bouquet of colorful flowers.  They include in their repertoire, the hit R&B song, “People Make the World Go Round.”  The voice of Kenny Washington is oh so compelling and emotional.  Washington has that voice that stops you in your tracks and makes you take notice.  This band is already on fire, but the addition of this vocalist, as a special guest, is smart. Also, I thoroughly enjoyed the addition of the vibraphone played beautifully by Joe Locke.

Other familiar tunes include Star Eyes, Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing,” spotlighting Lorin Cohen on bass; the George Benson hit record “This Masquerade” composed by Leon Russell, and the Lennon/McCartney tune, “Here, There and Everywhere.”

This variety of genres and musical types fly brightly under Joe Syrian’s banner of jazz.  His drums propel each piece forward like a hot wind fanning the flame. This album is awesome!

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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