SoundStage! Derrick Gardner & the Jazz Prophets

May 2009

Derrick Gardner & the Jazz Prophets - Echoes of Ethnicity
Owl Studios OWL00129
Format: CD
Released: 2009

Musical Performance
Recording Quality
Overall Enjoyment

Derrick Gardner’s trumpet playing has tremendous drive and vigor as he comes out swinging on the opening track of his new disc. "4Newk," Gardner’s tribute to Sonny Rollins, is classic Art Blakey-style hard bop, and his band, the Jazz Prophets, carries off the fast pace with ease. Gardner has kept his sextet together for nearly 20 years, and on Echoes of Ethnicity he augmented the lineup with two additional players, Brad Leali on alto and Jason Marshall on baritone. While the disc contains many of the Blue Note touches that made Gardner’s last disc, A Ride to the Other Side (2008), such a pleasure, the additional reeds give the arrangements here more variety, solidity, and texture. Marshall blends beautifully with Vincent Gardner’s trombone (Derrick’s brother) to give Echoes of Ethnicity a warm foundation and a full-bodied sound.

Gardner shares composition duties with band members Rob Dixon, who plays tenor, and with his brother. Vincent Gardner’s "Afros and Cubans" features a tight ensemble arrangement in 6/8 time, and Rob Dixon’s "We Jazz Tune" has a driving rhythm and swinging pace reminiscent of Duke Pearson’s nonette arrangements. Derrick Gardner’s interpretation of "Natural Woman," a hit for Aretha Franklin in the '60s, is played at a moderate tempo that lets all the players display their impressive, sensitive appreciation for the song’s melody. Throughout the disc, a rock-solid rhythm section consisting of Rick Roe on piano, Gerald Cannon on bass, and Donald Edwards on drums keeps the music centered and lively.

Echoes of Ethnicity has plenty of warmth and atmosphere, but the bass, while strongly present in the mix, has little definition. The other instruments come through clearly, but I found myself wishing for more sparkle and life. Despite the recording, Echoes of Ethnicity is the work of musician who deserves a wide audience.

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