Holmes, Joel

Blue Canoe, 2009, CD
Instrument: Piano

Issue: 15.2

Jazz Ruler Type: Swing
O's Jazz Ruler

Performance: 4
Performance Chart

Sound: 4
Sound Chart

Score:
Score Chart

O’s Notes: Joel (p) and Gary Thomas (sax) are very fleet of foot on “Impressions” (both takes) sprinting through the changes while remaining true to the feeling of the tune. They are almost symphonic but with a sense of swing on “Chinese Fishing Song” featuring violinist Chia Yin Holmes. They resume the racing pace on “Mr. PC” and then relaxing on “Fatima” featuring Thomas on flute. This pattern of alternating moods continues throughout the set keeping the listeners happily engaged. Drummer Eric Kennedy maintains a steady beat injecting strong punctuation along the way. We also enjoyed the cover of “Maiden Voyage”. In fact there is not much that we didn’t like!

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Publicist: Blue Canoe Records