Live At The Uptowner
Calligram, 2023
8/10
Listen to Live At The Uptowner
The Milwaukee drummer Dave Bayles makes quite an impression with this first effort as leader, where Russ Johnson and Clay Schaub accompany him for 9 animated live tracks.
The lively “Fitzroy” opens the listen with Bayles’ frisky drums and Johnson’s playful trumpet making for a crisp climate, and “Third Birthday (this many)” follows with no lack of melody present in the song for Schaub’s daughter.
Deeper into the set, “The Illusionist’s Sister” recruits plenty of energy via the be-bop influences, while “Shuffle Boil”, by Thelonious Monk, welcomes bursts of funk bouts amid the radiant brass.
“Waking Hour” and “Horizontal Heartburn” exit the listen, where the former emits a unique intimacy thanks to the soulful horn and Schaub’s moody bass, and the latter spotlights a looping groove that’s matched by a meticulous drum solo.
A listen that swings charmingly and certainly isn’t lacking any rhythm, Bayles and company more than keep our attention with these timeless jazz tunes.
Travels well with: Scott Hesse Trio- Intention; Steve Million- Perfectly Spaced