Sean Jones - Kaleidoscope (2007)

Trumpeter Sean Jones emphasizes various vocalist friends for his fourth recording as a leader. His previous CDs have leaned toward a more produced pop-oriented approach within a definite modern jazz framework, and this effort leans toward a balance of combining those elements without being overtly commercialized. The first eight cuts all feature the singers, the most effective being rising star Gretchen Parlato. Her beautiful voice levitates Kendrick Scott's ballad composition "Journey," done on his debut CD, receiving a different, less expansive treatment, while the sunny swing waltz "It's Just a Matter of Time" has Parlato and Sachal Vasandani swapping opposing transposed crowded vocal lines. Parlato is special; please pay attention to her in the future. Even more impressive are two spiritualistic pieces, reminiscent of the recent work by pianist Robert Glasper. The opener, "Allison," drips with emotion, informed by the lovely piano playing of Orrin Evans, slight Latin spice, and the wordless vocals of J.D. Walter, while "Esperanto" (not sung in Esperanto) has Carolyn Perteete's siren-song singing, pristine as morning dew. At this point one barely notices the trumpet player, until you hear four consecutive instrumentals. "Say Brah" is a cooking typical neo-bopper, "Blak Music" a less clichéd hard bopper, the title track a more modern near-fusion Fender Rhodes-infused piece, and "The Sluice" revealing Jones as a singsongy Lee Morgan/Freddie Hubbard-influenced Young Lion. The pacing and programming of this recording could have been more effectively revisited; it feels like block formatting. It is another fine, not yet definitive musical effort from Jones, easily a Top Ten rising star of contemporary jazz trumpet. ~ by Michael G. Nastos, AMG. 

Mack Avenue, MAC 1037, 2007
Recorded at:
Audible Images, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Avatar Studio, New York, NY
Dirtysoap Studios, New York, NY 

Musicians:
Sean Jones - Trumpet (#2,4,5,7-13), Flugelhorn (#1,3,6)
Antoine Drye - Trumpet (#5)
Brian Hogans - Alto Sax (#5,9-12), Flute (#1,7,8), Rhodes (#1)
Walter Smith III - Tenor Sax (#5,9-12)
Tia Fuller - Flute (#1)
Orrin Evans - Piano (#1-3,6-10,12), Rhodes (#4,5,11)
Alton Merrill - Keyboards (#4,13), Organ (#5), Rhodes (#5), Piano (#13)
Luques Curtis - Acoustic Bass (#2,3,7-13), Bass (#1,6), Percussion (#1)
Mike Boone - Electric Bass (#4,5)
Obed Calvaire - Drums (#1-13), Percussion (#1)
Jay Ashby - Percussion (#1)
Gretchen Parlato - Percussion (#2), Vocals (#2,7,8)
J.D. Walter - Vocals (#1,3,5), Arranger
Kim Burrell - Vocals (#4,13)
Carolyn Perteete - Vocals (#6)
Sachal Vasandani - Vocals (#7,8)

Tracks:
01. Allison {Sean Jones} (6:48)
02. Journey {Kendrick Scott, Gretchen Parlato} (5:19)
03. Never Let Me Go {Ray Evans, Jay Livingston} (4:48)
04. I Come To Thee {Orrin Evans, Tiffany Jones, Heidi Martin} (6:28)
05. So Wonderful {J.D. Walter} (5:53)
06. Esperanto {Vince Mendoza, Kurt Elling} (6:13)
07. It's Just A Matter Of Time [Intro] {Ron Westray} (0:50)
08. It's Just A Matter Of Time {Ron Westray} (6:18)
09. Say Brah {Walter Smith III} (5:56)
10. Blak Music {Brian Hogans} (6:33)
11. Kaleidoscope {Walter Smith III} (5:03)
12. The Sluice {Orrin Evans} (6:40)
13. You're The Reason {Alton Merrill} (6:34) 

Total Time: 73:31 

Credits:
Producer, Audio Production - Al Pryor
Producer, Audio Production, Vocal Producer - Orrin Evans
Producer, Director, Creative Services Coordinator - Maria Ehrenreich
Production Assistant, Production Coordination - Will Wakefield
Audio Production, Engineer, Audio Engineer, Vocal Producer - Antoine Drye
Audio Engineer, Audio Production, Engineer, Vocal Producer - Donald Edwards
Audio Engineer, Engineer - James Farber, Jay Dudt, Dave Stoller, Hollis Greathouse
Audio Engineer, Assistant Engineer - Anthony Rutolo, Brian Montgomery
Mastering Engineer - Doug Sax, Sangwook "Sunny" Nam
Photography - Frank Stewart

LINK

The Sluice

Sean Jones - Eternal Journey (2004)

Sean Jones makes a splash into the pool of jazz trumpet players with this debut recording. At 25 years old, Jones has a sound that's reminiscent of other modern trumpeters in the vein of Marcus Printup, Nicholas Payton, and Roy Hargrove. A teacher and student pursuing a doctorate at Duquesne University, his musical credits include names such as Jon Faddis, Joe Lovano, and the Gerald Wilson Orchestra. Though Jones is considerably new on the block, Eternal Journey benefits from a stellar group of musicians which includes Ralph Peterson, Mulgrew Miller, Orrin Evans, and newcomer Tia Fuller, who contributes impressively on saxophone and flute. Veteran Charles Fambrough rounds out the set of musicians with solid bass work. The eleven compositions include five written by Jones, two by Fuller, and four standards. Jones has a controlled and sparkling sound that is evident on the opening up-tempo piece "Gullyism" with rapid solos. He also performs with poise on the mellow title "Eternal Journey" with the addition of Fuller’s lovely flute work. Things do get interesting on "The Serpent" with its circuitous syncopation and urban-styled flair. The veterans perform as expected with Peterson’s all-encompassing drum work and Miller and Evans shining on piano. On "The Last Minute" the art of hard bop is shown in full effect as everyone glows with intense performances. Jones plays like a veteran and brings to mind another seasoned trumpeter, Terence Blanchard, on the soulful "95 South." On an interesting interpretation of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," Jones completely shines in terms of composition and harmony as he makes his own statement on the classic. While seasoned listeners may find little new on Eternal Journey, they will be treated to some well executed music and the revelation that Jones is a skilled player with presence and potential. ~ by Mark F. Turner, All About Jazz. 

Mack Avenue, MAC 1016, 2004
Recorded 16th & 17th October, 2003 at Systems Two Studios, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Sean Jones - Trumpet, Arranger
Tia Fuller - Alto & Soprano Sax, Flute
Mulgrew Miller - Piano
Orrin Evans - Piano
Charles Fambrough - Bass
Ralph Peterson - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Gullyism {Tia Fuller} (5:46)
02. Eternal Journey {Tia Fuller} (6:24)
03. John {Sean Jones} (7:02)
04. The Serpent {Sean Jones} (7:12)
05. You Are My Everything {Mort Dixon, Harry Warren, Joseph Young} (5:44)
06. God Bless The Child {Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog, Jr.} (5:37)
07. At the Last Minute {Sean Jones} (5:41)
08. Searching {Sean Jones} (6:50)
09. Over The Rainbow {Harold Arlen, E.Y. "Yip" Harburg} (9:42)
10. 95 South {Sean Jones} (4:36)
11. The Very Thought Of You {Ray Noble} (4:10) 

Total Time: 68:50

Credits:
Producer - Al Pryor
Executive Producer, Liner Notes - Gretchen Carhartt
Mixing Engineer - Jim Anderson
Mastering Engineer - Greg Calbi
Assistant Engineer - Max Ross, Ross Petersen
Production Assistant - Will Wakefield
Liner Notes - Scott Yanow

LINK

Eternal Journey

Sean Jones - Roots (2006)

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

LINK

Roots

Sean Jones - Gemini (2005)

Trumpeter Sean Jones certainly covers a great deal of musical ground on Gemini. The music ranges from the hard boppish "In Her Honor," a hint of 1960s lyrical Freddie Hubbard on "Rain of Patience," and the medium-tempo "Blues for Matt B." to some more electronic, funky, and even fusionish selections. The music on Gemini keeps one guessing throughout and Jones plays well in every setting. The other soloists, which at various times include Tim Fuller on alto and flute, the tenors of Ron Blake and Walter Smith III, trombonist Andre Hayward, and pianist Mulgrew Miller among others, are utilized to their best advantage, but it is the warm sound and versatility of Jones that makes Gemini a consistent success. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Superb: Sean Jones' tone, intonation and musicality are stellar. On this CD, the material is interesting and appealing, the other musicians are outstanding and Jones is great. The bop and funkier tracks blend well. The uses of synth keyboard on a few tracks is tasteful and adds to rather than detracting from the overall sound and musical quality. This is a CD I have found myself listening to every day, and I am sure I will be enjoying this for years. IMO, one of the best jazz CDs in recent years. ~ Kindle Customer, Amazon.com. 

Mack Avenue Records, MAC1023, 2005
Recorded at Avatar Studios, New York, NY 

Musicians:
Sean Jones - Trumpet
Tia Fuller - Alto Sax, Flute
Walter Smith III - Tenor Saxophone (#4,6)
Ron Blake - Tenor Saxophone (#9-10)
Mulgrew Miller - Piano (#1-6)
Orrin Evans - Keyboards (#7-13)
Kenny Davis - Acoustic & Electric Bass, Bass Guitar
E.J. Strickland - Drums (#1-6)
Corey Rawls - Drums (#7-12)
Andre Heyward - Trombone (#10)

Tracks:
01. Gemini [Phase 1] {Sean Jones} (1:37)
02. In Her Honor {Sean Jones} (5:40)
03. Rain Of Patience {Tia Fuller} (5:54)
04. Blues For Matt B {Sean Jones} (5:41)
05. BJ's Tune [Life In The Hand, Divine] {Sean Jones} (10:15)
06. Mission Statement {Quamon Fowler} (7:35)
07. Gemini [Phase 2] {Orrin Evans} (1:53)
08. Into The Sun {Sean Jones} (5:37)
09. Chillin' At Da Grill {Sean Jones} (5:33)
10. T.V. Land {Sean Jones} (7:27)
11. Momma's Groove {Corey Rawls} (4:53)
12. Gemini {Kenny Davis} (4:34)
13. Gemini [Phase 3] {Traditional} (1:32) 

Total Time: 68:17 

Credits:
Producer - Al Pryor
Executive Producer, Liner Notes - Gretchen Carhartt
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Jim Anderson
Recording Engineer [Assistant] - Anthony Ruotolo
Mixing Engineer [Assistant] - Kaori Kinoshita
Mastering Engineer - Greg Calbi
Mastering Engineer [Assistant] - Steve Fallone
Art Direction, Design, Photography - Raj Naik

LINK

Rain Of Patience