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Chris Hazelton: After Dark

By Jack Bowers
September 2, 2023
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Imagine walking down a street After Dark, with nothing important happening, when the sound of music nearby can be heard. Pausing for a moment to listen more closely, the thought occurs that "this is really rather good; I should hang around for a while." That is exactly the vibe that Kansas City-based organist

Chris Hazelton

organ, Hammond B3
b.1985

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Hazelton and his ensemble wish to convey on this bright and smoothly swinging album.

While the untimely passing of maestro

Joey DeFrancesco

organ, Hammond B3
1971 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey DeFrancesco in August 2022 left a huge void in the Hammond B3 universe, others are seeking to weather the loss and carry the torch onward; Hazelton is definitely one of them. He clearly has ample technique, and any lack of mind-blowing gymnastics a la DeFrancesco may rest in large measure on the group's choice of material, which is by and large sunny yet self-disciplined.

Whatever the mood or tempo, Hazelton fits it like a glove, as do baritone saxophonist

Brett Jackson

saxophone
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Brett Jackson (a real find) and the others, guitarist

James Anderson

violin

" data-original-title="" title="">James Anderson, drummer

John Kizilarmut

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">John Kizilarmut and (on three numbers) conguero

Pat Conway

congas

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Conway. Jackson has a heavy sound, more akin to

Cecil Payne

saxophone, baritone
1922 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecil Payne or

Harry Carney

saxophone, baritone
1910 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Harry Carney than

Gerry Mulligan

saxophone, baritone
1927 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerry Mulligan or especially Swedish master

Lars Gullin

saxophone, baritone
1928 - 1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Lars Gullin. What is more important is that he is a superb soloist, lending resourcefulness as well as weight to every number.

Anderson is an engaging soloist too, as he shows whenever the need arises, while also erasing the need for a pianist. Conway adds rhythm and color to

George Coleman

saxophone, tenor
b.1935

" data-original-title="" title="">George Coleman's tasteful "Amsterdam After Dark,"

Bobby Timmons

piano
1935 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Timmons' buoyant "So Tired" and the handsome finale,

Michel Legrand

piano
1932 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Michel Legrand's "Watch What Happens." The other themes are

Hank Marr

organ, Hammond B3
b.1927

" data-original-title="" title="">Hank Marr's "Easy Talk,"

Kerry Strayer

" data-original-title="" title="">Kerry Strayer's "Jammin' at the Kirk,"

Jerome Richardson

woodwinds
1920 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Jerome Richardson's "Groove Merchant" and the session's lone ballad, Mulligan's plaintive "Night Lights." None is less than seductive.

Indeed, "seductive" is a word that faithfully describes this album in its entirety. If you are ever walking down a street and hearing music like this streaming forth from a nearby venue, be sure to pause for awhile and listen more closely.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Amsterdam After Dark; East Talk; Jammin' At The Kirk; Nightlights; So Tired; The Groove Merchant; Watch What Happens.

Personnel

Chris Hazelton

organ, Hammond B3

Brett Jackson

saxophone

Jamie Anderson

guitar

John Kizilarmut

drums

Pat Conway

congas

Album information

Title: After Dark | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Cellar Music Group

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