Obsidian
Jazz/Latino, 2024
9/10
The composer/pianist/educator Tim Olsen has been busy in upstate New York for 3 decades now, and these 9 original tunes and lone arrangement span five decades and showcase his eclectic brand of jazz.
The rhythmic “Leonine” opens with Dylan Canterbury’s bright trumpet and Ken Olsen’s animated trombone adding much energy to the Big Band appeal, and the title track follows with David Gleason’s fluid piano and Tom Gerbino’s baritone sax emitting intimacy and warmth.
In the middle, the lively spirit of “Winter Journey” allows for Elias Assimakopoulos’ well timed trombone and Eric Walentowicz’s dense tenor sax to radiate, while “No Parsley (Only Pears)” benefits much from Pete Sweeney’s cautious drums and Lou Smaldone’s cozy bass.
“Morning In Morocco” and “Portnoy’s Complaint” exit the listen. The former is a busy yet meticulous album highlight that bops and shakes with infectious chemistry, and the latter recruits Jim Corigliano’s alto sax and Steve Lambert’s trumpet for the reserved yet adventurous finish.
A highly precise, exciting and cultured effort, Olsen guides the ensemble through songs inspired by Duke Ellington, Thad Jones and Gil Evans, and it will be sure to impress jazz fans around the globe.
Travels well with: Tim Olsen Band- Creature Of Habit; Saul Dautch- Music For The People