Epistle
Three Pines, 2022
9/10
The tenor sax wizard Jacob Chung is in fine company here, where Christian Antonacci’s trumpet, Felix Fox-Pappas’ piano, Thomas Hainbuch’s bass and Petros Anagnostakos’ drums help him flesh out 6 original modern jazz tunes that are as memorable as they are meticulous.
“Triage” opens the listen with the booming brass being complemented by the playful bass, acrobatic drumming and dancing keys in the lively jazz climate, and “Bouncin’ At Bonafide” follows with an indeed animated spirit that swings with much warmth.
“Epistle” lands in the middle and across 3 chapters it showcases Chung’s inimitable jazz prowess alongside charming piano, swift bass lines and very skilled drumming, and “Sizzler Kabab” exits the listen with a fluid and timeless bop friendly delivery that’s full of unpredictable rhythm changes and tips its hat to Art Blakey.
A listen that swings and bops with an undeniable energy, Chung and company treat us to 45 minutes of some of the best contemporary jazz that Canada has to offer.
Travels well with: Chris Mondak- Glass Spheres; Way North- New Dreams, Old Stories