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| Scott Yanow Reviews Tony Adamo/Was Out Jazz Zone Mad Tony Adamo Was Out Jazz Zone Mad (Ropeadope) A spoken word artist who is also a very good singer, Tony Adamo fits into his own musical category. He loves jazz and funk, often pays tribute to both in his lyrics, and utilizes top-notch musicians on his recordings. While he has recorded frequently in the past, Was Out Jazz Zone Mad is Tony Adamo's debut for Ropeadope, a perfect fit since the label often releases music that crosses between genres. Other than "Boogaloo The Funky Beat" which was written by drummer Mike Clark, Adamo wrote or co-composed all of the music and lyrics. His enthusiastic talking/singing is full of excitement, joy and wisdom, paying homage not only to musicians (including Joe Henderson on "Sonic Henderson" and "B.B. King's Blues On Fire") but the lifestyle of creative music, the joy of improvisation and the problems of love ("I'm Out The Door"). Tony Adamo does not dominate these performances and he gives a generous amount of solo space to his sidemen. Mike Clark is a driving force on the numbers on which he appears and among the other sidemen are Roger Smith, Mike LeDonne, Wayne De La Cruz, or Delbert Bump on organ, pianist Michael Wolff, drummer Lenny White, guitarist Jack Wilkins, Tim Ouimette on trumpet and valve trombone, altoist Donald Harrison, and bassist Richie Goods. Switching between infectious grooves and straight ahead swinging, boppish chord changes and the blues, Tony Adamo has put together a colorful program full of hipster philosophizing and the excellent playing of his musicians. Was Out Jazz Zone Mad is available from Ropeadope Records... Scott Yanow regular reviewer JazzTimes, Jazziz, Down Beat, write your comments about the article :: © 2019 Jazz News :: home page |