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The Tucker Brothers (Guitarist Joel Tucker And Bassist Nick Tucker) Debut Fresh New Jazz Compositions With Their Quartet And Several Guest Artists As instrumentalists and composers, The Tucker Brothers had already made a strong impression with their previous releases Nine Is The Magic Number and Writing Prompts. Two Parts, which is their strongest statement so far, has nine new pieces (six by guitarist Joel and three from bassist Nick) that are performed by their quartet with tenor-saxophonist Sean Imboden and drummer Brian Yarde. Four guests make significant contributions to one song apiece. The opening “Warm Heart” has a haunting atmospheric melody with Elena Escudero’s voice adding a great deal of color to the ensembles. “When Souls Meet, ” a rhythmic, romantic and spiritual piece, features both Walter Smith III. and Sean Imboden trading back and forth on tenor during a performance that gets increasingly passionate as it evolves. Imboden is in the lead during the explorative yet accessible “October Third, ” while the moody “Lifely” has a fine spot for guitarist Joel Tucker. Pianist Ellie Pruneau joins the group for “Two Parts, ” a dramatic fusion-oriented performance that has some fiery playing from Joel Tucker. The last of the guests, altoist Amanda Gardier, is a key part of “Sundancing, ” engaging in colorful interplay with Imboden and taking an exciting solo on the infectious number. The final three originals, the moody jazz waltz ‘Paisley, ” the initially introspective “Heavy Drop, ” and the laidback “Return To Balance, ” each contain some of the finest playing by both of the Tucker Brothers, a pair of siblings whose playing and writing grow in depth with each recording. Joel and Nick Tucker are both important members of the Indianapolis jazz scene and are both Instructors of Jazz Studies at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Joel graduated from Indiana University in 2012 and since then has been a sideman on nine albums in genres ranging from straight ahead jazz to Latin music and hip hop. In 2016 the distinctive guitarist was one of the featured artists (along with Pat Martino, Peter Bernstein, Russell Malone and Bobby Broom) at the Indy Jazz Fest tribute to Wes Montgomery, and he has since traveled the U.S. with Michael Spiro’s Ritmos Unidos. Nick, who graduated from the University of Indianapolis and has a Master’s degree from Indiana University, has freelanced extensively with jazz, Latin and rock groups throughout the Midwest, performing with Randy Brecker, Bobby Watson, and Stefan Harris among others. He is also the house bassist for the American Pianists Association jazz competition, performing with such brilliant talents as Sullivan Fortner, Christian Sands and Emmet Cohen. Together they formed the Tucker Brothers Group in 2015, recording Nine Is The Magic Number. In 2017 they paid homage to the great jazz musicians who were raised in Indianapolis (including Wes Montgomery and Freddie Hubbard) on their second recording, Writing Prompts. The release of Two Parts is a major step forward for the Tucker Brothers Group, a band that will be heard from much more in the future. Tucker Brothers – “Two Parts” (Self Produced) Street Date: 10/03/2019 Joel Tucker Guitar, Nick Tucker Bass, Sean Imboden Tenor Saxophone, Brian Yarde Drums, (Special Guests On Album) Elena Escudero Voice , Walter Smith III Tenor Saxophone, Ellie Pruneau Piano, Amanda Gardier Alto Saxophone |
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