Title - Paganova
Artist - Michael Pagán
For those unaware, Michael Pagán documents five original compositions and three arrangements of tunes by some of the most celebrated masters of the post-bop era here on his brand new album, Paganova.
While the instrumental format of two saxes and rhythm section, a pillar of the jazz lexicon, may call to mind such seminal works as the Lennie Tristano Quintet featuring Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh, the Cannonball Adderly Quintet in Chicago, and the Tribute to John Coltrane: Live Under the Sky featuring Wayne Shorter and Dave Liebman, Paganova’s front line breaks ground in that its reed men, David Chael and Michael Herrera, switch instruments between tenor, alto, and soprano saxophones throughout the entire set, resulting in a breath-taking showcase in the art of sax doubling.
Bassist Louie Pagán an independently established composer and producer in his own right, crosses the genre line to join his father’s group on electric and upright bass, adding an exciting flare particularly to the Latin and straight-eighth note offerings, while renowned veteran drummer Ray DeMarchi (who appeared on Pagán’s 2010 Capri release Three for the Ages) wraps the entire ensemble in sophisticated, experienced drum work
that is at once warm, hard hitting, and heart felt.
1. Burn it Forward
2. Deep in My Soul
3. Guess Who’s Blues
4. Eiderdown
5. Where Do We Go From Here
6. Gaviota
7. Just the Other Day
8. Napoli
This new album from the prolific pianist/composer, who has become a fixture of the Kansas City jazz scene over the past two decades, opens on the vibrantly euphoric Burn it Forward and the playful piano/sax balladry of Deep in My Soul, before bringing us both the engaging Guess Who’s Blues and a delightful fervency that drives Eiderdown.
Along next is the low slung dinner suite Where Do We Go From Here, which is seamlessly backed in turn by the jaunty jazz brilliance within Gaviota, the album rounding out on the peppy finger-snapper Just the Other Day, closing on the upbeat, joyous and masterfully sculpted coming together that embodies Napoli.
Official Purchase Link
www.michaelpaganmusic.com