Puttin’ On The Ritz
Boptism, 2022
8/10
Rich Willey is a talented guy, and here the multi-instrumentalist arranges 4 horns to flesh out some really playful jazz interpretations of several standards that welcome a group of all-star Chicago rhythm players.
“Poor Butterfly” starts the listen with playful drumming and soulful horns, as Paul Mutzabaugh’s warm piano solo impresses us, and “If I Should Lose You” follows with elegant strings complementing Willey’s fluid trumpet solo in the cautious yet adventurous climate.
“My Melancholy Baby” lands in the middle, and it comes with a breezy, cozy demeanor of brass and strings meshing with melody, while “Song For Janet”, the album’s best, has Willey playing a couple different trumpets amid Mutzabaugh’s very precise keys.
Closer to the end, “Sweet Lorraine” is indeed easy on the ears with its strong attention to detail and flowing song craft, and the full version of “Holy Trinity” exits with solos from David Mann’s soprano sax and Andrew Synowiec’s guitar for the fusion friendly and dynamic finish.
Of the 3 originals, Willey’s well cemented spiritual beliefs are present, and represent his unique and timeless vision of jazz and improvisation that makes for another excellent body of work.
Travels well with: Jim Dedrick- Findings; Wayne Alpern- The Shape Of Strings