Treasury: Volume 1
Turtle Bay, 2024
8/10
The pianist Terry Waldo illuminates classic ragtime ideas, where a large cast accompany him across 10 nostalgic and energetic songs.
The bright spirit of ‘Blame It On The Blues” starts the listen with lively clarinet from Ricky Alexander guiding the frisky energy, and “I Get The Blues When It’s Raining” follows with Tatiana Eva-Marie’s flawless voice alongside Mike Davis’ animated trumpet.
At the midpoint, “Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home” benefits much from Waldo’s playful keys and Jerron Paxton’s expressive pipes, while “The Frog Song” welcomes Jay Lepley’s agile drums and Jim Fryer’s well timed trombone.
Close to the end, “After You’ve Gone” is an intimate album highlight that uses Veronica Swift’s alluring voice amid Nick Russo’s subtle banjo, and “Maple Leaf Rag” exits with a raw recording of swift keys, Colin Hancock’s scrappy cornet and Sam Chess’ glowing trombone.
An effort that brings us back many, many decades, Waldo’s vision of ragtime and early jazz makes us wish we could visit a speakeasy and dance wildly. Since we can’t, this is the next best thing.
Travels well with: Tania Grubbs Quintet- The Sound Of Love; Suzanne Pittson- Emerge Dancing