The jazz group PDXV (http://pdxv.com) play with the self-confidence of musicians who've mastered their craft on "Vol. 2," a deliriously compelling live album recorded at a place called Jimmy Mak's in their hometown of Portland, Oregon.
Covering the mighty Thelonious Monk (strangely misspelled on the back cover) is no easy task; there is no doubt to the man's genius and undying legacy in the world of jazz. But on PDXV's version of Monk's "Trinkle Tinkle," they just about make the track their own, impressing us not only with their individual playing but work as an ensemble. About halfway through the piece you can really hear the group coming together, transforming into a single unit that nevertheless has knockout single parts.
|
The band consists of Dick Titterington on trumpet and flugelhorn; Rob Davis on tenor and soprano sax; Greg Goebel on piano; Dave Captein on bass; and Randy Rollofson on drums. That should give you an idea what jazz styles PDXV are exploring here. There isn't a bum cut in the bunch; PDXV exhibit superb taste in covers, and all of them are executed to perfection. However, we're not talking about flavorless professionalism here. PDXV's renditions, especially that of Fred Hersch's mouth-watering "Rain Waltz," will leave your ears glued to the headphones.
|
