Gerald Cleaver – Live At Firehouse 12 (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 45:55 minutes | 538 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Sunnyside
This new outing from sought-after drummer/composer Gerald Cleaver is a bottomless well of energy and robustness. Five rhythmically-charged self-penned tunes (four of them retrieved from his 2007 album Detroit, which featured exactly the same group as here) were performed live at Firehouse 12. The spirited performance brainstormed a blend of novelty and familiarity that sparkles with gut-punch improvised moments. Moreover, this is a swinging record where his razor-sharp drumming skills solidifies a rhythm section that also includes pianist Ben Waltzer and bassist Chris Lightcap. They use their rhythm knowledge and charismatic accompaniment to support the melodic journeys of trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and saxophonists J.D. Allen and Andrew Bishop, a powerful frontline.
From the beginning, it becomes clear that Cleaver wants to avoid any type of dormancy, being interested in any groovy, swinging, and stimulating possibilities. Those energetic waves arise with the radiant swinging activity of “Pilgrim’s Progress”, whose theme’s melody has the force of an orchestra. By turns, Pelt and Waltzer see their fluid phrasing being disrupted by the bandleader’s interjections, in a surprising section of exchanges.
Tracklist:
1. Gerald Cleaver – Pilgrim’s Progress (Live) (05:58)
2. Gerald Cleaver – Silly One (Live) (08:25)
3. Gerald Cleaver – Tale Of Bricks (Live) (11:27)
4. Gerald Cleaver – Carla’s Day (Live) (08:25)
5. Gerald Cleaver – Detroit (Live) (11:37)
