#willijonesiii

The drummer quite deservedly landed an article in Down Beat in the January 2018 issue. It’s fitting that such a stalwart jazz advocate should be prominently featured—he is giving so much to jazz, through his relentless grooves as well as his knack for producing impeccable albums. His latest offering is a marvel. Crisp and inventive, without any of the conceptual tinsel that the industry expects to market jazz, his latest albums focuses on the essential: the compositional material and the expressive interaction between creative players. In the same spirit as his previous album dedicated to Cedar Walton (Groundwork), this is about making the most of great tunes, including three by the leader. There’s a clever funky reworking of Hancock’s “The Maze”, Buster Williams’s superb ballad “Christina”, his swinging compositions “The Wind of an Immortal Soul”, a deft original by Eric Reed (“Manhattan Melodies”) and Horace Silver’s “Peace” to add another touch of sensitive introspection. This aspect of the leader’s musical world is especially prominent here with his splendid “Early Morning” and the title track, clearly anchoring the date in a somewhat grave ambiance. The balance between hard blowing and more contemplative moods is a delicate affair based on the players’ personal commitment. One can only enjoy the subtle drone and conversation of Buster Williams’s lines, the drummer’s tasteful accents, the colours provided by Eric Reed and the lyricism of Moore and Henderson—two deeply original voices— all of this merging into a refined and intense set of deep and determined musical declarations. Each outing by Willie Jones III is a statement, one of devotion and passion—this one particularly vivid and heartfelt.

Jean Szlamowicz (Spirit of Jazz & Down Beat)

Tracks. Manhattan Melodies ; The Wind of an Immortal Soul, Christina ; My Point Is… ; The Maze ; Early Morning ; Peace ; Bluez for Dat Taz

Personnel. Willie Jones III (drums); Buster Williams (bass); Eddie Henderson (trumpet); Eric Reed (piano); Ralph Moore (saxophones)

Recorded March 2017.