Funkhouser, John
Jazsyzygy, 2009, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 15.4
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 5
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: John Funkhouser (p) leads a trio with Mike Connors (d) and Greg Loughman (b). They open with a swinging arrangement of “Green Dolphin Street”, with a rich interchange between the trio highlighted by Loughman’s lengthy solo. This is one of four cool covers dispersed among seven originals. The trio plays larger than three people, each extracting big warm tone from their instruments. “Ellipse” is a model of John’s skill as a composer interweaving different time signatures but making it all sound simple. Again, Loughman’s contribution is strong especially when he uses a bow. Connors wraps the piece with a rousing solo before opening “Prelude & Fugue in A Minor” with a 2+ minute percussive blast. This selection started with a classical bent before shifting to a hard salsa beat. We enjoyed each selection and the contributions of all three musicians. Funkhouser is a man we’ll be watching on the jazz front.
Publicist: Braithwaite & Katz
