CD Release Shows
Jared Gold – organ
Dave Stryker - guitar
Billy Hart - drums
Joel Frahm - tenor sax
Friday & Saturday August 24-25
Smalls
83 W 10th St
New York, NY 10014
Most jazz fans have encountered the unfortunate scenario of being thrilled by the names on an album cover but then being disappointed by the music. That is definitely not the case with the new leader project from Jared Gold, which showcases the versatile organist and his all-star band: guitarist Dave Stryker, drummer Billy Hart and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt. Stryker, who also produced the album, has a 14-year history with Gold, and his simpatico rapport with the organist spices up the proceedings, as each musician frequently adds clever coloration when the other is unleashing a sturdy solo. Hart—whose subtle brushwork is just as mesmerizing as his powerful stick-work in this program—demonstrates the mastery that has made him a legend. Pelt, who adds potent brass to three tracks, elevates this disc: Without him, these sessions might have yielded a memorable trio disc, but with him on board, the result is one of the strongest straightahead discs of the year thus far.
This band certainly can burn, as evidenced by the title track (which was penned by the leader), but a poignant reading of The Beatles’ “She’s Leaving Home” reflects Gold’s ability to tug at the listener’s heartstrings with a melancholy mood. Gold has curated a wonderful, eclectic program that features two Gershwin tunes (“It Ain’t Necessarily So,” “How Long Has This Been Going On”), Ornette Coleman’s “Blues Connotation,” Stevie Wonder’s “Lookin’ For Another Pure Love” (from 1972’s Talking Book) and “One For John A,” a swinging, original tribute to the late guitar icon John Abercrombie, with whom the organist worked for years. Gold and Stryker can ignite fireworks at will, but on this rendition of “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” both musicians coax a vocal timbre out of their respective axes. Nicely done, gentlemen. (Bobby Reed DownBeat Magazine Editor's Pick)
...one of the year’s strongest titles to date and upon repeated listening gets so much more enjoyable. (CJ Shearn Jazz Views)
...this is a CD that will be loved by Hammond fans, and highlights Gold’s talents as both a creative organist as well as arranger. His talents have matured and hopefully we’ll see more exploratory efforts from Jared well into the future. (Jeff Know Audiophile Audition)
Billy Hart, on drums, fuels the first and title tune, “Reemergence” composed by the featured artist, Jared Gold. Gold is a fresh, jazz -organ, recording artist making waves on the East Coast. This is his eighth recording, and he’s surrounded himself with a group of excellent musicians to support his musical concepts. Dave Stryker is not only a proficient guitarist, but a record producer with his own label, a composer and a very busy New York musician. Drummer, Billy Hart, is legendary and was once the drummer of choice with the great Jimmy Smith. Trumpeter, Jeremy Pelt, is a refreshing addition to the organ trio. The first thing that stands out about Jared Gold is his ability to take familiar songs like Stevie Wonder’s “Lookin’ For Another Pure Love’ or the Lennon/McCartney standard, “She’s Leaving Home” and turn them into harmonically fresh works of art. Gold’s creativity with harmonics is formidable. Gold started out as a piano player, but quickly found his expressive niche on the organ. He was born in Englewood, New Jersey February 27, 1980 and has worked extensively with Oliver Lake and John Abercrombie. This ninth album as a leader solidifies his unique approach to his instrument and his excursions into arrangements that are unique, like the title tune that roots itself in an unusual fourteen-bar blues pattern. On the tune, “Sweet Sweet Spirit” he takes us to church. Songs like “Ornette Coleman’s Blues Connotations” show the listener that he can groove with the best of them and also gives Hart an opportunity to break free and exuberantly solo on the drums. Jared Gold comes into sight and prominence once more, just like the title of this CD proclaims. (Dee Dee McNeil LA Jazz Musical Memoirs)
Recently voted the Top Rising Star on organ in an annual Downbeat poll, NYC based B-3 visionary Jared Gold fashions a dynamic through line to the generation of jazz organ that inhabits his muse by including, on his Strikezone debut Reemergence, legendary drummer Billy Hart, who got his start in the 60s with Jimmy Smith.
Ensembling again with guitarist Dave Stryker (who also produced), and adding trumpeter Jeremy Pelt to the fold, Gold creates an explosive melodic and rhythmic master class on the organ’s wide-ranging possibilities. He re-imagines Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Gershwin, an Ornette Coleman blues classic and a renowned church song – but saves his most imaginative expressions for his easy swinging tribute to John Abercrombie (who he played with for a few years) and Stryker’s adventurous closer “Nomad.” (Jonathan Widran JWVIBE)
Dave Stryker: I first met Jared at Cecil s Jazz Club in 2004, and having played with many of the great organists myself, I immediately heard that this was a young man who was already establishing his own original voice. He has been a member of my trio ever since.
As always, Jared puts his own individual stamp on the music. His originals have unique harmonic twists and turns. Reemergence is a burning line that leads into a 14 bar blues form. One for John A. is dedicated to the late, great guitarist, whom Jared worked with for several years. Gold s skills as an arranger are evident on his treatment of Stevie Wonder s Looking for Another True Love (putting a classic groove on it that would make Jack McDuff proud) and the Beatles ballad She s Leaving Home, along with the standards It Ain t Necessarily So, and How Long Has This Been Going On. No organ trio record would be complete without a blues and Ornette Coleman s Blues Connotation is a piece that Jared first played with Abercrombie. Jared s church gigs inspired his gospel arrangement of Sweet Sweet Spirit, and he closes the set with Nomad, a Dave Stryker original Billy puts his inimitable signature on as he did on Stryker s first record First Strike in 1988. On Reemergence Jared Gold shows once again why he is one of the new greats of the organ.
1. Reemergence
2. It Ain't Necessarily So
3. Lookin' For Another Pure Love
4. She's Leaving Home
5. One For John A
6. How Long Has this Been Going On
7. Blues Connotation
8. Sweet Sweet Spirit
9. Nomad
Dave Stryker - guitar
Jeremy Pelt - trumpet, flugelhorn
Billy Hart - drums
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