Dave Douglas

Too many recorded salutes to famous Jazz player are like visiting Lenin in his Moscow Mausoleum. You’re getting an embalmed, static version of what was an animated personality. But trumpeter Dave Douglas won’t settle for a rote replication of already defined sounds. Dizzy Atmosphere consists in the main of Douglas compositions written to honor Dizzy Gillespie’s legacy, Plus the improvising combo’s personnel is unlike any of the legendary honoree’s bands: two trumpets – Douglas protégé Dave Adewumi is the other– younger players pianist Fabian Almazan, guitarist Matt Stevens and bassist Carmen Rothwell; plus veteran drummer Joey Baron.

Even the two Gillespie-composed tunes are given radically distinct treatments. The early career “Pickin’ the Cabbage” now mixes simple swing with Klezmer echoes via singular drum movement and muted brass lines. Meanwhile the Afro-Cuban beat of “Manteca” is maintained, and is the only time the trumpets squeal like Gillespie, but overall the joyous bounce communicated is more about passing powerful trills from Douglas to Adewumi and vice versa rather than faux-Latin tones; and the track is completed with a rhythm guitar strum not a percussion break.

Stevens’ ringing guitar fills and Almazan’s focused comping are also featured throughout, but what stands out most during the CD’s nine tracks is the individual savvy of both Douglas and Adewumi even in double counterpoint or when one solos after the other. For instance during “Subterfuge” as the theme jumps form moderato to staccato, one trumpeter moves plunger tones up the scale while the other slurs a response downwards, reaching a collective respite as drum smacks complete the piece. A brass wrap-around occurs on “Cadillac” with Douglas outputting a savory lead; while the two unite to play “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” above slinky guitar licks and responsive piano key clanks that continue up until the brassy climax.

Coming up with compositions and arrangements that show how these quintet members can suavely interpret pieces that are both rounded and rugged, Douglas helps move along the career of younger players. At the same time he creates an uncommon salute to a brass avatar.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Mondrian 2. Con Almazan 3. Cadillac 4. See Me Now 5. Manteca 6. Pickin’ the Cabbage 7. Pacific 8. Subterfuge 9. We Pray

Personnel: Dave Douglas and Dave Adewumi (trumpets); Fabian Almazan (piano); Matt Stevens (guitar): Carmen Rothwell (bass) and Joey Baron (drums)