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| Drummer Paul Shaw’s Recording Debut As A Leader, Moment Of Clarity, Features Seven Inventive Modern Jazz Originals Paul Shaw has been best-known as a supportive and swinging drummer who adds rhythmic excitement to large ensembles and small combos alike. While his drumming is excellent throughout Moment Of Clarity, his debut recording as a leader, it is also apparent that he is a very skilled composer. Shaw contributed all seven diverse originals for a notable quintet that features trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, guitarist Brad Shepik, pianist Gary Versace, and bassist Drew Gress. His frameworks on the pieces have Sipiagin, Shepik and Versace taking turns as the lead on the ensembles, cover a variety of moods, are filled with creative and concise solos, and showcase an attractive group sound. The set includes such memorable pieces as the rhythmic "Shapeshifter" (which includes a particularly powerful trumpet solo), a haunting "Song For Everyone, " the catchy theme of "Mary Oliver, " the atmospheric title cut, and a rousing closer in the energetic and joyful "Showdown." While Sipiagin, Shepik, Versace and Gress have their individual moments to shine, Shaw is content to drive and inspire the lead voices through his inventive compositions, restricting himself to taking a few drum breaks on "Shapeshifter" and "Showdown" along with a short solo on the blues "Peekaboo." One can feel him smiling as his sidemen add their personalities to his music. Paul Shaw, who grew up in Southern New Jersey, started playing drums when he was five. After college, he gained a great deal of experience playing with jazz orchestras in the military. Shaw performed with the 1st Marine Division Band at Camp Pendleton during his four years in the Marines, then joined the Air Force as a big band drummer. He played with the Band of the Air Force Reserve, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band, the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, and the US Air Force Falconaires, adding to the excitement of each ensemble and driving the orchestras. Shaw was also a teacher at Mercer University (2000-04) and has taught privately ever since.The drummer co-leads Inside Out, worked with The Swing Association (which was voted the best jazz group in Atlanta), and has performed with many top jazz artists through the years including Oscar Brown Jr, Donald Harrison, Frank Lacy, Nnenna Freelon, Lizz Wright, Steve Nelson, Jiggs Whigham, Johnny O'Neal, and Bill Watrous. Artist: PAUL SHAW QUINTET Title: MOMENT OF CLARITY LABEL: SUMMIT RECORDS Labe Website: https://www.summitrecords.com/release/moment-of-clarity-paul-shaw-quintet/ Artist Website: www.paulshawmusic.com/home Release Date: MARCH 27, 2020 UPC Code: 099402763927 TRACK LISTING 1. HEARTLAND 6:26 2. SHAPESHIFTER 6:54 3. SONG FOR EVERYONE 6:46 4. MARY OLIVER 6:35 5. PEEKABOO 9:17 6. MOMENT OF CLARITY 7:53 7. SHOWDOWN 6:09 ALL COMPOSITIONS BY PAUL SHAW Musicians: ALEX SIPIAGIN: TRUMPET • BRAD SHEPIK: GUITAR GARY VERSACE: PIANO • DREW GRESS: ACOUSTIC BASS PAUL SHAW: DRUMS write your comments about the article :: © 2020 Jazz News :: home page |