Our Editor

image

Matthew Ruddick

Editor
Author of Funny Valentine, an acclaimed new biography of the jazz trumpet player and singer, Chet Baker.
  • 1
Saturday, 07 February 2015 19:11

Kendall Moore Ensemble - Focus

Written by 
    Authors Ranking: Authors Ranking
Rate this item
(2 votes)
Fine debut from Miami-based jazz trombonist, composer and arranger and his Ensemble.

Kendall Moore is a jazz trombonist, composer and arranger from Chicago, and if his debut recording is anything to go by, is a name to watch out for. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in jazz performance at the University of Miami, but has already performed with the likes of McCoy Tyner and Ahmad Jamal, and a wealth of other artists as part of the Henry Mancini Institute studio Orchestra. Moore’s arrangements have also attracted attention, winning him the ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Award in 2009.

His debut CD, Focus, is performed by his Ensemble, which comprises of Mark Small on tenor and soprano saxophone, Tim Jago on guitar, Angelo Versace on piano, Gary Thomas on bass and Michael Piolet on drums. The band is augmented on three of the eight tracks by Marquis Hill on trumpet and Pat Seymour on alto saxophone.

The CD opens with a stunning reworking of the Bill Evans/Miles Davis standard, Blue in Green. In reworking the tune, Moore found himself drawn to the lushness of the chords, the symmetry of the melody, and in particular, the sense of falling in the first phrase. The arrangement is quite intriguing, from the opening guitar and handclaps to the careful use of space, which allows plenty of room for the musicians to play off one another. Moore takes the lead, his warm, rich tone a delight, before Tim Jago takes over with an elegant guitar solo. Another standard brings the album to a close; this time, a superb, stripped back version of the Van Heusen classic, It Could Happen To You, with only bass and drums for support.

Kendall’s own compositions are noteworthy, too. The title track has a Latin-tinge and a memorable hook. Piolet’s drumming is particularly noteworthy, vibrant and inventive, but never intrusive, whilst Mark Small’s solo is also well conceived. The pace slows for Peaceful, which has a reflective, late-night feel to it, anchored by the warm tone of Thomas’s bass.

The larger ensemble assembles for Finding Purpose, again showcasing Moore’s arrangement skills to good effect. The Road Less Travelled is less compelling, however, the tune rather less memorable.

It’s good to see Focus credited to the Ensemble, because Moore has clearly assembled a first-rate band, perfectly attuned to his ideas, and it would be good to hear them work together again. Focus is an impressive debut from a bandleader you can expect to hear from again in the near future.

Read 3460 times

Our Contributors

image

Rob Mallows

London Jazz Meetup owner and fan of ‘plugged in’ jazz.
 
image

Simon Cooney

By day a full time Londoner in tv news. By night jazzaholic
 
image

Fernando Rose

I love my jazz and I bless the funk. I play percussion for all and sundry and go by @Mr Cool.
 
image

Grae Shennan

Laboratory scientist with a love of evolving music that defies boundaries. 
 
image

Hilary Robertson

Jazz-obsessed freelance writer and saxist.
 
image

Kim Cypher

Saxophonist, vocalist, composer, band leader and radio show presenter. Follows dreams and loves to celebrate great music and musicians.
 
image

Fiona Ross

Fiona is the founder of the award winning organisation Women in Jazz Media. She was the guest editor in chief for the 2020 edition of Jazz Quarterly and writes for many publications across the globe.
 
image

Wendy Kirkland

Jazz pianist and singer with wide musical tastes spanning latin through fusion to bebop and swing. Cat fanatic.
 
image

Elana Shapiro

From Manchester, currently living in Berlin. Lover of jazz, RnB, and soul inspired music.