Pianist Dred Scott has a new project, which departs from this previous 11 recordings. The project is The Pacific Jazz Group. Dred’s label had referred to him as the maestro of mayhem in his earlier years with them. And Dred has the resume to back it up.

He’s played and recorded with a long list of diverse artists ranging from Liza Minelli, Courtney Love, Anthony Braxton, Pete Seeger, Nina Hagen, Patti Smith, Zigaboo Modeliste, Joe Henderson, Joe Morello, Andrew Cyrille, Moby and amongst other, Ricki Lee Jones.

This new project marks the return of Dred to the clubs. Well respected for his craft, The New York Times called Dread a ... sly, pianist raconteur. While the west coast SF Weekly referred to him as a disciple of psychedelic subterfuge, coupled with post-cool intensity.

Here on the self-titled The Pacific Jazz Group (coming out June 23rd, 2023), Dred is joined by saxophonist and composer Eric Crystal, a mainstay of the San Francisco Bay Area music scene for more than 25 years. Anchoring the rhythm section is bassist John Wiltala, who has himself worked with some of the greatest names in jazz, including Joe Henderson, Junior Cook, and amongst others both Charlie Rouse and James Moody.

Drummer/Vibraphonist/Saxophonist Smith Dobson V has been performing in the Bay Area for nearly twenty years, and his father, the late Smith Dobson IV, was a world renowned Pianist and director of the Jazz series at the Garden City in San Jose for over twenty years (and where he accompanied artists such as Art Pepper, Stan Getz, Bobby Hutcheron, Harold Land and, amongst others, Leo Konitz).

1. Bernie’s Tune (6:30)
2. Maid in Mexico (4:36)
3. Line for Lyons (7:22)
4. Casa de Luz (5:38)
5. Festive Minor (5:44)
6. Nights at the Turntable (5:55)
7. Utter Chaos (3:40)

This magnificently-hued, organically ambient-setting new recording opens on the free flowing Bernie’s Tune and the elegantly sculpted Maid in Mexico and then follows those up with the quietly petulant Line for Lyons and a most joyous swing ambiance found within Casa de Luz.

Along next is one of my own personal favorites from this new album, the pronounced melodies harbored within Festive Minor which is itself seamlessly backed by the gently uproarious Nights at the Turntable, the music coming to an all too soon close on the playfully feisty Utter Chaos.

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