Smoke In The Sky
Cellar, 2024
8/10
Dave Schumacher, a baritone sax wizard, brings along an all star cast for these 8 Latin influenced jazz tunes that are quite modern and exciting.
The lively energy of “Smoke In The Sky” opens the listen with Jesus Ricardo’s animated trumpet and Manuel Valera’s warm piano that suits frisky percussion, and “You Know It’s Wrong” follows with Schumacher’s buzzing sax that aligns with Mauricio Herrera’s playful congas.
Halfway through, the hazy and intimate “(No More) Smoke In The Sky” emits much emotion via the soulful sax and Alex “Apolo” Ayala’s light bass, while “El Dilema de Chegul Metralla” is a swift and rich display of cultured and flowing jazz that’s as melodic as it is memorable.
Residing at the end are “Walk Spirit Talk Spirit” and “Poinciana”, where the former showcases stunning bass acrobatics before segueing into Josh Evans’ upbeat trumpet, and the latter allows Joel E. Mateo’s agile drumming to complement the strategic horns.
Schumacher has been a regular player in the New York jazz scene for 40+ years, and the talent and experience he brings to these musically bilingual tunes illuminates a cross cultural experience.
Travels well with: Ron Rieder- Latin Jazz Sessions; Jose Gobbo Trio- Current