Pepper Adams with The Tommy Banks Trio

Undoubtedly the best – if not the only – exceptional jazz session featuring a member of the Canadian Senate, the set includes Tommy Banks on piano, who was in the upper house from 2000-2011. While this date took place in 1972, Banks (1936-2018) exhibits the supportive and organizational skills that make him one of Alberta’s most accomplished musicians for years.

Of course the adaptative skills of Banks, bassist Bobby Cairns and drummer Tom Doran were stretched to the maximum on backing baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams (1930-1986), then a sometime visitor to Edmonton’s clubs, arguably the US’s pre-eminent Hard Bopper on his instrument. Making the most of the trio’s rhythmic and improvisational talents, Adams elevates this program of two originals and jazz songbook standard to ferocious extended interactions. During Oleo for instance his unbroken line of earthy and empathetic variations is an object lesson in how to make the familiar exclusive. Banks’ speedy Bop timing with blues underscoring keeps the piece moving. Here and elsewhere excitement is torqued by thumping bass and crashing drum breaks, with both trading fours with the soloists. Sticking to mid-range tones, Adams uses squeaks and glissandi to advance his parts with the brightness of a higher-pitched instrument. The few times he emphasizes the baritone’s glottal rasp are during stop-time sequences. The resulting excitement gets added oomph when Banks’ solo slyly interjects song quotes.

Judging from protracted applause the audience was impressed by the music. You can be too.

-for The Whole Note Summer 2022