CHARLIE PORTER, Hindsight (OA2 Records). Trumpeter Charlie Porter fronts a high-energy band performing compositions that may remind one of Dizzy Gillespie or Freddie Hubbard in a post-bop setting, with the occasional electric overtones. The compositions contain intricate melodies with nicely interwoven lead lines. The band’s rhythm section continuously pushing the boundaries normally created by this style of music, making for an exciting journey within every piece. Porter plays with passion and precision that highly respects the Jazz Elders while maintaining his own modern voice. This is part of what modern jazz should be about.

IDIT SHNER, Live at the Jazz Station (OA2 Records). Despite her relative youth, Idit Shner’s alto saxophone glows with the warm sheen of someone much more experienced. Her solid post-bop leads honor the traditions of players before her, like Jackie McLean or Hank Mobley. There is also a touch of the “Young Lions” vibe being presented by keyboardist Torrey Newhart and the rhythm section of Garrett Baxter (bass) and Ken Mastrogiovanni (drums). This is an incredibly young band starting come into its own and learning how to swing hard as it does so. Keeping an eye on these players would not be the worst idea in the foreseeable future.

#cirdecsongs

You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (cirdecsongs) My book, I Can’t Be the Only One Hearing This: A Lifetime of Music Through Eclectic Ears, is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other fine book dealers. I’m currently working on my next book, The Wizard of WOO: The Life and Music of Bernie Worrell

Would you like to have your album reviewed? Contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com