Syrian, Joe
Circle 9, 2025, CD
Instrument: Drums
Issue: 31.2
Jazz Ruler Type: BigBand
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 92
O’s Notes: Drummer, arranger Joe Syrian leads the Motor City Jazz Octet, a band of the finest musicians in the Detroit region. He has a roster of over 25 players that fuel the octet based on the venue and date. We can attest that this formula works well! They open with a bouncy take of “Bye Bye, Blackbird”, leading to cool arrangements of “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” and “This Masquerade” with nice work by guitarist Paul Bollenback. The brass is warm, and solos are crisp throughout the set, especially on “Night and Day”. Kenny Washington sings “People Make The World Go ‘Round” including a solo by Joe Locke on vibes.
Publicist: Joe Syrian