Menges, Jon
Menges Music, 2023, CD
Instrument: Trumpet
Issue: 29.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 77
O’s Notes: Spirit of 3, Spirit of 4 is a tale of two ensembles centered on Jon Menges playing trumpet and flugelhorn. The drummerless trio features guitarist Pete McCann and bassist Evan Gregor. The quartet is Joe Fitzgerald (b), Nathan Childers (t-sax, s-sax), and Robert Weiss (d) with Menges. They open with the mysterious “Anchor In The Path” followed by the bouncy “Stairs”, both with gentle rhythms and cool beats. The quartet starts on track #7, “Coqui”. The foursome is more lively but also mellow. We liked gentle swing of “The Spirit Within”, and “Somethin’”.
Publicist: Kari-On Productions