My America 2: Destinations
Basset Hound, 2023
8/10
Listen to My America 2: Destinations
The well traveled tuba extraordinaire Jim Self documents many places across the country he’s worked and lived with this aptly titled listen, where a large cast of players accompany him across the unique jazz affair.
“Chicago” opens the listen with Scott Whitfield’s vibrant trombone and Ron Stout’s bright trumpet adding much to the lively climate, and “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” follows with a calm, soulful approach of twinkling piano from Bill Cunliffe complementing Self’s stirring tuba.
Further along, the snappy “King of Route 66” places Ken Wild on string bass and John Chiodini on guitar for the highly melodic album highlight, while “I Love LA” trims the pace back intially with an intimacy that builds into an animated jazz rocker thanks to Steve Fister’s guitar and Brian Kilgore’s marimba.
Deeper yet, Self’s interpretation of the “Washington Post March” results in the firm drums, frisky rhythm and some ominous moments as “Washington Postmodern”, and “S.L.O. Blues” exits with Kendal Kays’ agile drums front and center amid Self’s well timed tuba and Wild’s infectious bass lines.
This follow up recording arrives about 20 years after the first one, and it’s as diverse as it is timeless, and shuffles, swings and embraces cultured moments, too. Let’s just hope installment 3 isn’t decades away.
Travels well with: Paul Marinaro- Not Quite Yet; Steve Knight- Persistence