About

When it comes to making jazz records, Jacob Wendt is a jack-of-all-trades. Not only did he assemble the band for Silver Street and play the drums, he also did all the composing and arranging for the eight songs on the record. He made key recording and mixing decisions alongside engineer Paul Tavenner, who has over 30 years in the industry (previously holding positions at Capitol Records and CBS) and has been the owner of Big City Recording in Los Angeles since 1999.

Silver Street gets off to a swift start with the album’s title track, the name of which aptly cites one of Wendt’s main influences. Horace Silver was known to write uptempo, winding melodies in the spirit of bebop, and fans of the pianist might find “Silver Street” tastefully reminiscent of his composing and arranging style. Full of hits, breaks, and stop-time, this uptempo piece features a unison melody line that splits into call and response phrases at the bridge. The whole group really shines on this number. Trumpeter Harry Ostrander is first, coming straight out of the break with two fiery choruses. Jimmy Emerzian follows on tenor sax, crafting his solo with zig-zagging lines and intrepid bursts of energy. Pianist Doug Carter delivers a dazzling solo, stretching out to make use of the entire keyboard while throwing in some surprising rhythmic variations that will keep the listener on their toes. The whole piece ramps up to a shout chorus that puts the spotlight on the drums, highlighting Wendt's understated yet very slick playing.

Wendt readily admits that the Blue Note Records catalog has served as a broader source of inspiration. Beginning with the release of Lee Morgan’s The Sidewinder in 1964, the “boogaloo” became a staple of numerous classic Blue Note albums that followed. “New Groove'' comes from that boogaloo school, but adds a twist: While the piece follows a standard A-A-B-A structure, Wendt spices things up by using a changing time signature for the A sections that alternates between 4/4 and 3/4. It’s a real treat to follow along with bassist David Reynoso’s soulful, varied basslines throughout. Tap your foot and get lost in Wendt’s funky house of mirrors.

In its own voice, Silver Street makes a unique contribution to a musical conversation that began many years ago in jazz’s hard bop era. And record collectors are starting to take notice of Jacob Wendt, who had a hand in every aspect of making this album: composing, performing, recording, graphic design, and pressing the vinyl. The finished product—the very LP you are now holding—is sure to make his passion for this entire process undeniable! — via Label

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Label: Hayden Records
Format: Vinyl, LP, Limited Edition, Stereo
Released: 2024
Genre: Jazz
Style: Hard Bop

File under: Jazz Groups
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