Live At Blue Bamboo
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The exceptional guitarist Chris Cortez has done many things in his creative life, but a live record wasn’t one of them, until now. Consisting of primarily originals, the selections here take help from the bassists Ron Jenkins and Doug Matthews, plus many more for the occasion.
The mesmerizing guitar of “The Visit” opens the listen, where frisky keys and playful drumming enter the rhythmic climate, and “That’s The Way Of The World” follows with a dreamy tone that benefits from Dan Jordan’s flute and Jeff Sipe’s meticulous drums.
“Awakenings” lands in the middle, and showcases Bob Thornton’s agile keys amid the flowing winds and acrobatic drumming, while “Different Strokes” places Joel Rosenblatt on drums for the breezy melodies and very memorable bass lines of the album’s best.
Approaching the end, “The Rose Of Shalamar” blends crisp drums, cozy keys and intricate guitars in the bouncy demeanor, and “A Remark You Made” exits the listen intimate and poetic, with very absorbing acoustic guitar from Cortez.
Cortez’s inimitable guitar is front and center here, but his esteemed band certainly don’t disappoint, and the jazz template casually touches on swing, funk, rock and blues, among other genres across this excellent effort.
Travels well with: The Jazz Professors- Blues And Cubes; Andy Adamson Quintet- A Coincidence Of Cats