Trumpeter Erik Jekabson's 2010 effort Crescent Boulevard is a thoughtful, cerebral post-bop affair that is a perfect balance between melodic artistry and probing, knotty jazz improvisation. Similar to Jekabson's previous recordings including his stellar 2004 debut, Intersection, Crescent Boulevard finds Jekabson delivering his burnished, warm trumpet tone and fluid improvisational lines that bring to mind such influences as Kenny Dorham, Blue Mitchell, and Miles Davis. Moving from the catchy and melodic bossa nova album opener to the muted and atmospheric title track ballad, all of the songs here are Jekabson originals save for his sprightly take on Harold Arlen's "My Shining Hour," which he impressively performs with only drums behind him. Backing Jekabson here are guitarist Michael Abraham, bassist John Wiitala, and drummer Smith Dobson as well as pianist Dan Zemelman, saxophonist Dayna Stephens, vibraphonist Tommy Kesecker, and percussionist John Santos. ~ by Matt Collar, AMG.
Jekab's Music, 001, 2010
Recorded 8th July, 2009 at
Bay Studios, Berkeley, California
Musicians:
Erik Jekabson - Trumpet
Mike Abraham - Guitar
John Wiitala - Bass
Smith Dobson - Drums
Special Guests:
Dayna Stephens - Tenor
Saxophone
Dan Zemelman - Piano
Tommy Kesecker -
Vibraphone
John Santos - Percussions
Tracks:
1. Parisian Jaunt {Erik
Jekabson} (5:19)
2. Five More Minutes {Erik
Jekabson} (6:44)
3. El Don {Erik Jekabson}
(6:30)
4. Crescent Boulevard {Erik
Jekabson} (7:15)
5. The Silver Fox {Erik
Jekabson} (7:21)
6. Fallen Angel {Erik
Jekabson} (5:15)
7. Sweet Face {Erik Jekabson}
(4:48)
8. Eichhörnchen {Erik
Jekabson} (6:58)
9. My Shining Hour {Harold
Arlen} (4:02)
Total Time: 54:14
Credits:
Producer, Mixing - Erik
Jekabson
Engineer, Mixing - Dan
Feiszli
Mastering - Michael
Perez-Cisneros
Assistant Graphic Design -
Jesse Easley
Cover Art, Graphic Design -
Mark Jekabson
Photo Courtesy - Kent Young
