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Dwayne Clemons: Center of Gravity: Live at Smalls

By Pierre Giroux
October 18, 2024
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Dwayne Clemons: Center of Gravity: Live at Smalls

Copenhagen-based trumpeter

Dwayne Clemons

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Dwayne Clemons is an accomplished musician whose US career trajectory hit a speed bump in the 1990s when he was incarcerated for a narcotics conviction. Fortunately, he caught the attention of pianist and club owner

Spike Wilner

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Spike Wilner who encouraged him to come to New York to play. In time, the result was that, in many ways, Smalls became like the home base for Clemons. Center of Gravity: Live at Smalls is the second live album he has completed at the club, a vibrant recording in which Clemons plays homage to jazz's rich lineage while pushing its creative boundaries. For this return engagement, Clemons assembled a terrific band including alto saxophonist

Amanda Sedgwick

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Amanda Sedgwick, tenor saxophonist

Aaron Johnson

saxophone, alto
b.1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Aaron Johnson, pianist

Jinjoo Yoo

piano
b.1989

" data-original-title="" title="">Jinjoo Yoo, bassist

Paul Gill

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Gill and drummer

Taro Okamoto

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Taro Okamoto. As for Clemons, he is a trumpeter who inhabits his style without rigidity or stifling nostalgia and is nonetheless influenced by

Louis Armstrong

trumpet and vocals
1901 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Louis Armstrong,

Roy Eldridge

trumpet
1911 - 1989

" data-original-title="" title="">Roy Eldridge,

Dizzy Gillespie

trumpet
1917 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Dizzy Gillespie and

Fats Navarro

trumpet
1923 - 1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Fats Navarro, among others.

The ten-track album is an eclectic mix of compositions from bop masters, standards from the Great American Songbook and a couple of originals from a band member. The opener, "Burgundy," is by pianist

Barry Harris

piano
1929 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Barry Harris. Clemons swings along with full-bodied vigour. The title track, "Center of Gravity," is a Sedgwick original, a three- quarter time mover. Clemon's playing has a lyrical quality in keeping with the melody.

Another bop gem is

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk's "Hornin' In." It was set up as a two-part front line, with Johnson pitted against Clemons and Sedgwick. That old standby, "I Cover the Waterfront," evokes a nostalgic elegance with Clemon's approach full of warmth and depth.

The album closes with "When I Grow Too Old to Dream," which, according to Clemons, is based on an

Arnett Cobb

saxophone, tenor
1918 - 1989

" data-original-title="" title="">Arnett Cobb arrangement for tenor saxophone. Enlivened by a sprightly shuffle beat, the band delivers a unison vocal through the lyrics before the members take up the solo challenge. Johnson's full-bodied sound balances Sedgwick's bright and agile lines, while Clemons plays with impeccable phrasing and vibrant clarity. At the same time, Yoo jumps into the fray with her subtle sense of swing.

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Track Listing

Burgundy; Center of Gravity; Hey George; Honeysuckle Rose; Hornin' In; I Cover The Waterfront; Shadow and Act; Smoke Rings; Sweet Emmalina, My Gal; When I Grow Too Old to Dream.

Personnel

Dwayne Clemons

trumpet

Aaron Johnson

saxophone, alto

Amanda Sedgwick

saxophone, alto

Jinjoo Yoo

piano

Paul Gill

bass, acoustic

Taro Okamoto

drums

Album information

Title: Center of Gravity: Live at Smalls | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Cellar Music Group

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