NEW JAZZ UNDERGROUND

HOODIES

Artwork Records

Sebastian Rios, bass/composer; Elew, piano; TJ Reddick, drums; Abdias Armenteros, soprano & tenor saxophone/vocals.

Sebastian Rios sprints beneath the expressive solo of Abdias Armenteros’s soprano saxophone, spurred by the driving drums of T.J. Reddick.  That’s how this first original composition opens the New Jazz Underground album.  It’s called “Oney Ones One” and introduces us to a viral jazz trio composed of bass, drums, and saxophone, with the exception of a tune called “Ghosts” that invited Elew to join for this one arrangement on piano. Until then, you will be thoroughly entertained by this chord-less trio that formed during COVID-19. They went from open-air performances to being invited to the stage of the Newport Jazz Festival.

The three musicians have merged Juilliard training and deep roots in the Afro-diasporic music. The result is a structured, energized package of eclectic music. It shines the light on T. J. Reddick’s incredible trap drum abilities as he locks in with the Sebastian Rios bass, making a solid rhythm section for Abdias Armenteros to play upon. The Armenteros saxophones leap up and down like children joyfully jumping on a rhythmically rich trampoline of sound.

Track #2 is called “Pseudo Latin Vibe” that slaps staccato notes in between unexpected breaks in the arrangement. This seems to be an exploration of the band’s modern influences. It gives Rios a platform to solo his bass, offering a melodic improvised time to communicate with his listening audience.

But it’s the third track, “Sidetracked” that takes a giant step into the blues, letting it wash over the trio, up to their knees in the Kansas City tradition through a contemporary lens.  This tune mirrors shades of Horace Silver. Armenteros composed this song.

All the other music is composed by Sebastian Rios.  On his tune “Ghosts” they invite pianist ‘Elew’ to the session on piano, forming a surprise quartet to change the pace, but leaving Rios out front and comfortable in the spotlight, hugging up on his double bass.

The title of “Hold My halo (Paint me Perfectly)” picks up the tempo and Reddick digs into the piece on his drums, slapping the rhythm into place along with locking the groove with Rios’ bass.

Sebastian Rios is the founding member of this acclaimed jazz trio who call themselves, “New Jazz Underground.”  Rios is Miami born. He studied at The Juilliard School where he met woodwind player, Abdias Armenteros and drummer, TJ Reddick. Their ultimate friendship was as natural as breathing in and out. Each had a dream of blending traditional jazz with contemporary influences like hip-hop, pop and Afro-Latin music with their traditional jazz training. They incorporate the blues, swing, shuffle and improvisation.  It’s all here, in these thirteen original tunes. The album, simply called, “Hoodies,”  reflects a street culture, personal identity, brotherhood and survival of young men of color in America. Many who embrace this cultural style of wearing “Hoodies.”  This music and the album title are meant to show solidarity, unity of style and spirit.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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