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Brian Patneaude: All Around Us

By Andrew J. Sammut
April 6, 2012
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An active part of the jazz scene in New York's Capital District,

Brian Patneaude

saxophone
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Patneaude's fifth album shows off his originality and depth as a tenor saxophonist and composer. The six original compositions and two covers on All Around Us were "inspired by people, places and events" in Patneaude's life, adding a personal gravity to the assured musicianship on display.

Listing

Michael Brecker

saxophone, tenor
1949 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Brecker,

David Sanborn

saxophone
1945 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">David Sanborn and

Hank Mobley

saxophone, tenor
1930 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Hank Mobley among his influences, Patneaude plays with an attractively big, warm tone, more guts than metal. On "Orb," Patneaude's soulful tenor builds dramatically before a pared down statement of the chanting melody closes this heartfelt tribute to Patneaude's friend and drummer,

Danny Whelchel

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Danny Whelchel. His lines are intricate but never include extraneous notes, best illustrated on the wistful 6/8 memoir "Lake Timeless."

"Too Vast for Malice" alternates a relaxed piano montuno with agitated tenor exclamations to choreograph the struggle between getting angry and letting go, followed by Patneaude blowing brooding descents and punchy exclamations and closing with a solid funk groove. Instead of just shredding on the straight-ahead bop burner "Double Trio," the saxophonist toys with the fleet tempo, hinting at double and half time after the circuitous yet catchy head (that will hopefully make its way into other bands' books).

While Patneaude's quartet has undergone changes since its founding in 2002, this current lineup plays like old collaborators. Bassist

Mike DelPrete

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike DelPrete's changing between two and four beat bass lines and Whelchel's clean cymbal accompaniment add further interest to "Double Trio." Pianist

David Caldwell-Mason

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">David Caldwell-Mason indulges a similar sense of play, with short crunches of notes and bop runs cut mischievously short. They lock in for some classic swing behind the leader's articulate phrases and Caldwell-Mason's technically assured Rhodes piano on Bronislaw Kaper's "Invitation." The chiming Rhodes behind Patneaude and Whelchel's colorfully orchestrated fours enhances a dreamy arrangement of

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter's "Juju."

The up-tempo, upbeat blues "Blucocele" (an ironic reference to Patneaude's mood following dental surgery) closes the disc and sums up its strengths: the ensemble is tight and swinging, Patenaude is subtle but powerful (here with a slightly brassier tone), Caldwell-Mason brings

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans-inspired harmonies into a thoroughly personal concept, and DelPrete offers an infectious finger-popping solo. Upstate New York, Midtown Manhattan or elsewhere, this is an inspired release.

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Track Listing

Lake Timeless; Too Vast for Malice; Orb; Double Trio; Juju; Aimless Antithesis; Invitation; Blucocele.

Personnel

Brian Patneaude

saxophone

Brian Patneaude: tenor saxophone;David Caldwell-Mason: piano, Fender Rhodes; Mike DelPrete: bass; Danny Whelchel: drums.

Album information

Title: All Around Us | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: WEPA Records

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