THE STEVE HOLT JAZZ IMPACT QUINTET

IMPACT

Inner Music

Steve Holt, piano/keyboard/composer; Duncan Hopkins, bass; Terry Clarke, drums; Perry White, tenor saxophone; Kevin Turcotte, trumpet/flugelhorn.

The title tune “Impact” opens this album with high-energy and explosive joy. This quintet is cookin’ with gas!  The composition is written and arranged by pianist, band leader Steve Holt.  He has contributed six songs out of the nine on this album and every one of them is well-written and beautifully executed by this talented quintet of musicians.   This release marks an exciting new chapter in his storied career.

Steve Holt was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec in Canada.  He started playing piano at age four and was immediately recognized as a child prodigy.  By age 18, young Holt was playing clubs. A protégé of the legendary Kenny Barron, Holt released his debut album “The Lion’s Eyes” in 1983.  That record earned him a JUNO nomination. Now, living in Toronto, his last album release was in 2002. His quintet features an all-star group of Canadian musicians. Together, this album presents a tight package of straight-ahead jazz arrangements and original compositions by Holt.

Track #3 is called “The Cup Bearers” and keeps the Straight-ahead jazz flowing, with the horn section prominent. Terry Clarke on drums keeps the groove exciting and the tempo locked in while Perry White takes an impressive tenor saxophone solo.  He is followed by Kevin Turcotte on flugelhorn who makes a noteworthy trumpet statement.  Then comes Steve Holt with Duncan Hopkins walking his double bass briskly beneath the creative Holt keyboard solo.  Hopkins then steps stage-center to sing his big double bass sound during his extended bass solo.

“Lalita’s Waltz” is the first ballad I hear on this energetic production and it’s quite beautiful.  It’s a tribute to Holt’s wife and offers surprising harmonic twists to captivate the jazz listener.

Every arrangement and tune is played with great sensitivity by jazz musicians who are on the Canadian A-List.  Steve Holt is not only a talented pianist, he is also a superb arranger and composer.  Sit back and enjoy.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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