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| Waverly Seven To Make NYC Debut At Jazz Standard by Steph Brown There was an era in American popular culture when pop music was something completely different than what it has become today; when an outstanding instrumentalist could be a pop star no less than a vocalist; when even headlining singers were expected to be complete musicians and instrumentalists were expected to be entertainers. Yo! Bobby, the upcoming June 2007 Anzic Records release from the young and hip Waverly Seven -- is evidence that this performance ethic hasn't entirely been lost to time. The members of the band revel in the joy that comes from the combination of jazz, showmanship and the Great American Songbook. Waverly Seven is a jazz ensemble formed in 2006 comprised of hot young New York City jazz musicians who have banded together to make music that is high quality and fun. Waverly Seven make their New York club debut on March 14 at Jazz Standard. The band lineup includes saxophonists Anat Cohen and Joel Frahm, trumpeter Avishai Cohen, keyboardists Jason Lindner and Manuel Valera, who share duties on various keyboards (piano and Wurlitzer electric piano), bassist Barak Mori and drummer Daniel Freedman. Also appearing as special guests, guitarist Russell Malone and baritone saxophonist Scott Robinson will perform. This album and this band are all about the joy that comes from the interplay of jazz and the Great American Songbook. These two entities could, in theory, exist without each other, but who among us would want to hear either one of them in such a reduced circumstance? Their glory and greatness derives from their interaction. The songbook thrives because of continual reinterpretation, and is constantly replenished by the often irreverent approaches to it by contemporary jazzmen and women. Anat's big-toned rock-and-roll tenor is displayed on "Splish Splash", and "Nature Boy", is rendered with an R&B organ treatment. Other tunes in the band's repertoire include "I Guess I'm Good For Nothing But The Blues", "Call Me Irresponsible", "How About You?", the British ballad "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square", "The More I See You", "I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me", "All The Way", and "Mack The Knife" among others. The music is loose but expertly crafted and highlights the impressive soloing powers of its young all-stars-in-the-making. Waverly Seven's YO! BOBBY isn't about recreating the past, nailing a trend of the present, or anticipating the future. This is great swinging music for all time. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |