TYREEK McDOLE

OPEN UP YOUR SENSES

Artwork Records

Tyreek McDole, vocals; Caelan Cardello, piano/Fender Rhodes; Rodney Whitaker, bass; Justin Faulkner, drums; Dylan Band, tenor & soprano saxophones. SPECIAL GUESTS: Kenny Barron, piano; Sullivan Fortner, Hammond B3 organ/Fender Rhodes; Logan Butler & Emmanuel Michael, guitar; Michael Cruse, trumpet; Tomoki Sanders, tenor saxophone/ percussion; Weedie Braimah, Djembe.

He’s twenty-five years old, but the ‘old soul’ in his voice and demeanor commands attention.  Tyreek McDole is a Haitian American, New York-based baritone vocalist, who won the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2023. Only two male vocalists have won this honor in a dozen years. Here is a young man who’s definitely a fresh, new, voice on the jazz scene.

He opens with a Nicholas Payton tune called “The Backward Step” introducing us to his rich baritone vocals and singing the traditional Haitian chant “Wongolo Wale” inside the tune. You will hear more of this cultural chant as a featured track #8.  When Tyreek breaks into harmony with Dylan Band’s saxophone, he has my complete attention.  Dylan takes a tender soprano saxophone solo, warm and sweet as fresh honey from the hive. Logan Butler, a special guest on this project, offers an impressive guitar solo. This song should get a lot of airplay.

Tyreek McDole re-enters after the instrumental solos, singing, “Love is like a light that leads you to the way  … When you’re breathing from your soul you’re never far away.” This is followed by an incredible drum solo. It propels the tune, tenacious and power-packed. Justin Faulkner is no joke on his percussive instrument.

Tyreek McDole has recorded the Pharoah Sanders tune, “The Creator Has a Master Plan.” Tomoki Sanders gives a memorable tenor saxophone introduction.

McDole tackles the Thelonious Monk composition, ‘Ugly Beauty,’ with lyrics by Mike Ferro. His delightful, ear-pleasing tone caresses the melody as a duet, just vocals and piano. On track #6, when the bass of Rodney Whitaker enters, I recognize the line from ‘The Creator Has a Master Plan’ that introduces ‘The Sun Song (Precious Energy),’ a Leon Thomas composition.

Tyreek has chosen a Horace Silver composition to be the title of his album, “(Won’t You) Open Up Your Senses.” He pleasantly surprises me with his poetic spoken word on “Love is a Four-Letter Word.”

McDole tributes the great Joe Williams, singing “Everyday I Have the Blues,” but he sings it his way and introduces us to his ‘scat side.’ This debut album solidifies Tyreek McDole’s place in the important line-up of youthful talents. I believe McDole will carry-on the lineage of great jazz voices.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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