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Jason Stein's Locksmith Isidore: After Caroline

By Mark Corroto
August 24, 2018
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Jason Stein's Locksmith Isidore: After Caroline

By 2018 he doesn't have to do it. Do what? Prove himself, and maybe also demonstrate the bass clarinet worthy of leading an ensemble.

Jason Stein

clarinet, bass
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Stein has the bona fides these days, proof being his much admired quartet and trio Locksmith Isidore. His trio was the opening act for his sister, comedian Amy Schumer's 10,000-seat arena tour the past few years and some of that rock star juju clings to After Caroline, the fourth release by Locksmith Isidore.

You can hear that in the pulse of pieces like "As Many Changes As You Need" and "We Gone" that hit as hard as any rock power trio. Drummer

Mike Pride

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Pride a veteran of bands like Millions Of Dead Cops, The Spanish Donkey, and Pulverize The Sound, has also recorded with

Anthony Braxton

woodwinds
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony Braxton and

Jon Irabagon

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Irabagon. He ignites much of this date like

Max Roach

drums
1925 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Max Roach, Arthur Taylor, and

Elvin Jones

drums
1927 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Elvin Jones did for

Sonny Rollins

saxophone
b.1930

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Rollins trio performances. Well, not really. The closest he comes to the hip sixties bebop is on the trio's performance of

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane"s "26-2." Played more or less straight, Stein displays an incredible nimbleness in his playing. Check it, yes that's a bass clarinet negotiating those spry changes.

Even with the rock star status, these cats are jazzmen and improvisers first. The trio's instant composing heard on "Sternum" is an exercise in skating the edges.

Jason Roebke

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Roebke, a bassist heard on nearly every Chicago jazz recording made this new century, steers the improvisation through taut strings while Stein delivers some breathy flutter notes and Pride unpacks a suitcase of found percussive sounds. "Walden's Thing" unleashes Stein, his horn equalling Pride's drumming in both volume and intensity. Throughout you keep reminding yourself, yes this is a bass clarinet. The highlight here is probably "You Taught Me How To Love," a simple (and perfect) ballad dedicated to his recently passed grandmother. After Stein states the melody, Roebke solos over brushwork as the trio marries its sounds into beauty.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

As Many Changes As You Need; Eckhart Park; Ida Lake; 26-2; Sternum; Walden��s thing; You Taught me How To Love; We Gone.

Personnel

Jason Stein

clarinet, bass

Jason Stein: bass clarinet; Jason Roebke: bass; Mike Pride: drums.

Album information

Title: After Caroline | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Northern Spy

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