STEVE KOVALCHECK

BUCKSHOT BLUES

OA2 Records

Steve Kovalcheck, guitar; Jon Hamar, bass; Jeff Hamilton, drums.

Guitarist, composer and arranger, Steve Kovalcheck joins famed drummer Jeff Hamilton and heralded bassist, Jon Hamar, to present mostly original songs he has penned. Kovalcheck has written a few tribute tunes for musicians he respects or who have mentored him. For example, “Donald’s Juke Joint” was written for Donald Brown, and “Bright Child” was penned in memory of organist Akiko Tsuruga, a former bandmate.

Kovalcheck ‘s current teaching role at the University of Northern Colorado includes instruction in jazz guitar and improvisation.  He is quite active performing in the Denver area. The guitarist brings his modern jazz sound rooted in the blues, rock, and country western genres, influence from his Nashville upbringing. Former albums like “Ghost Orchid,” “Stomping Ground” and “Nine Mile Hill” exemplify Kovalcheck’s modern jazz mastery.

Throughout this presentation, the trio members are playful and spontaneous as they approach each groove, opening with the Kovalcheck original composition, “Happy Train.” This is followed by a unique arrangement of the popular jazz standard, “What’s New.”

“Playing with them is a conversation that is honest, swinging and always full of surprises. Their musical personalities shaped every moment of this record,” Steve praises his bandmates in the liner notes.

Steve Kovalcheck’s title tune, “Buckshot Blues” quickly becomes another one of my favorites, showcasing the guitarist’s melodic clarity and improvisational storytelling.  His fingers fly over the guitar strings, and this up-tempo presentation is spurred forward by the dynamic drums of Jeff Hamilton.

The tune titled, “Daydance” is introduced by the distinctly melodic drums of Hamilton. He always sounds as though he is singing a melodic mix into his rhythmic drums. During this arrangement, Jon Hamar steps forward to offer a creatively improvised bass solo at the top of the tune.

On the popular and familiar “Skylark” song, Hamar’s bowed bass solos are stunning and beautiful.  This tune is followed by another favorite of mine “Crab Lantern Blues.” Kovalcheck’s comfort level with playing blues guitar or Straight Ahead jazz is always on point. His talent as a player and a composer shines on every song they play.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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