This is Jones’ second Mack Avenue album ably produced by Al Pryor exploring historical jazz implications. Gemini was his homage to, and exorcism of, Miles Davis’ influence, both acoustic and electric. Roots explores the jazz connection to the church, and the devotional heft of gospel music. The CD follows a definite arc, beginning with a short a cappella traditional hymn and ending with a trumpet-piano duet on a spiritual. In between, Jones plays in quartet, quintet (mining soul-jazz) and trio (churchy organ and drums) contexts, in a repertoire of new and classic jazz and gospel tunes. Ellington’s “Come Sunday” is exquisite, Jones’ trumpet solo indelible. Pianist Orrin Evans is the most impressive of a fine group of supporting players. But this album is most winning as a warm, heartfelt, all-of-a-piece jazz mood of faith and creativity. ~ Extract by George Kanzler, JazzTimes.com.
Mack Avenue, MAC 1031, 2006
Recorded in 2006 at Avatar
Studios, New York City
Musicians:
Sean Jones - Trumpet
Tia Fuller - Alto Sax
(#2,4,8,11,12)
Orrin Evans - Piano, Electric
Piano (#2-6,8-11)
Eddie Howard - Piano, Organ
(#7,12,13)
Luques Curtis - Bass
(#2-6,8-11)
Obed Calvaire - Drums
(#2-4,6,8,11)
Jerome Jennings - Drums
(#5,7,9,10,12)
Tracks:
01. Children's Hymn
{Traditional} (1:34)
02. Roots {Sean Jones} (7:12)
03. Divine Inspiration {Tim
Green} (6:46)
04. God's Gift (Obed
Calvaire} (7:03)
05. Come Sunday {Duke
Ellington} (7:05)
06. Lift Every Voice {James
Weldon Johnson} (8:03)
07. Offering Time {Sean
Jones} (1:43)
08. Conversations {Orrin
Evans} (5:11)
09. El Soul {Ali Jackson}
(5:19)
10. Puddin' Time (Brad Leali}
(5:03)
11. What We Have {Sean Jones}
(8:00)
12. John 3-16 {Brad Leali}
(5:35)
13. I Need Thee {Traditional}
(5:01)
Total Time: 73:38
Credits:
Producer - Al Pryor
Executive Producer - Gretchen
Valade
Engineer, Mixing - Don Murray
Mastering - Doug Sax
