Musicians: Dr. Bruce Eskovitz – tenor saxophone, Charlie Shoemake – vibes, Bill Mays – piano, Ray Drummond – bass, Larance Marable – drums, Ernie Watts – tenor saxophone (“Tenor Madness”)
Review:
Saxophonist Bruce Eskovitz makes jumping jazz sound modern on his latest release, One For Newk II. Accompanied by pianist Billy Mays, vibraphonist Charlie Shoemake, bassist Ray Drummond, and drummer Larance Marable, One For Newk II is a tribute to jazz great Sonny Rollins. With the exception of “Count Your Blessings” which was written by Irving Berlin, and “Poor Butterfly,” which was penned by John Golden and Raymond Hubbell, all songs are original works by Rollins with Eskovitz arranging them and producing the album. The flashiness in the tunes is subtle making them perfect for supper clubs. The melodic layers of cheerfully vibrating chords and gently flustered rhythms set the mood to enjoy a night out with friends and project a joyous atmospheric clamor.
Shoemake sizzles on the vibes in “Pent-Up House” as Eskovitz and Mays coat the melody with bubbly-bop ornaments and Drummond plucks rapidly on the bass chords. The rhythmic struts of “No Moe’ have a bunny-hop as the vibes and saxophone toots pack in a lively jubilation. The bebop treads taxi quick shuffles in “Paradox” creating a big band bluster, while the suave nightclub setting of “Count Your Blessings” is cool and refreshing. The mid-tempo beats of “Valse hot” have a contemplative grazing that lets you reflect over thoughts while you are tapping your toes to the oscillating piano doodles and whimsical horn furls. The music is stylish and contemporary. The fast-paced momentum of “Strode Rode” ferries a serried bustling motion that makes one think of the hurried crowd through New York City’s Grand Central station during rush hour, while the scurried rhythms of “Tenor Madness” featuring Ernie Watts also on tenor saxophone produces an infectious dance-bop swagger. Though the music has roots in ‘50s jazz, Eskovitz makes it modern sounding and tempered for contemporary audiences.
The final track “Poor Butterfly” has buttery horn swirls as the glare of the candlelit piano keys flank the passages along romantically imbued canals. It’s a tune made for lovers. Dr. Bruce Eskovitz’s latest release, One For Newk II is pleasant and has all the makings of a modern classic crossbreed. The songs have a classic bebop cadence and modern jazz interactions. It’s an album for adult contemporary audiences and keeps the integrity of jazz music in check.
Dr. Bruce Eskovitz is in demand as a saxophonist on the Los Angeles music scene, and has performed with a number of great artists such as Joe Cocker, Natalie Cole, Freddie Hubbard, Doc Severinson, Jimmy Webb, Elliot Smith, Dwight Yoakum, and Jane Monheit to name a few. Some of his other compositions and performance credentials include the Los Angeles productions of Beatlemania and Timbuktu, and recording jingles for the ABC-TV show “Santa Barbara” and The Ebony/Jet Celebrity Showcase. He is director of the Instrumental Music Program at Windward School of West Los Angeles, and he founded the award winning Jazz Music Studies Program at Crossroads School of the Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica, California. It is no wonder that Eskovitz made playing jazz seem so easy on One For Newk II, and as a tribute to the legendary Sonny Rollins, it leaves a fine impression of classic bebop jazz on contemporary audiences.
Tracks: Pent-Up House, No Moe, Paradox, Count Your Blessings, Airegin, Valse hot, Strode Rode, Tenor Madness, Poor Butterfly
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