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Charlie Dennard: Deep Blue

By Nicholas F. Mondello
March 12, 2019
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Deep Blue by New Orleans pianist Charlie Dennard and his crew is a jambalaya in which Dennard displays fine keyboard skills and a flair for writing melodic tunes.

The kick-off, "St. Charles Strut," is all 'Nawlins frontline contemporized. It is a Dennard original which offers an ear-worm melody that's similar to the first few notes of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." That motif reverberates both in major and minor keys throughout the track. "Mojave" is a pulsating driver. It is a textural tone poem with woodwinds blowing desert zephyrs over a pulsing foundation. There's also much percussive flavor on this track. Dennard's solo is a pastel blue and quite tastefully done.

Dennard was mentored by

Ellis Marsalis

piano
1934 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Ellis Marsalis and has fine keyboard chops. His playing is inventive, rhythmic, soulful and at times reminiscent of

Ahmad Jamal

piano
1930 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Ahmad Jamal and

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans. However, he is his own man. He has a fine sense of dynamics. He and his partners keep things tasteful. There's no spotlight grabbing. Bassist Max Moran and drummer Max Belote are well in-pocket with Dennard.

"Wanderlust," a Dennard/Brian Seeger original, alternates from a faster, harder statement to a slower, dreamy base and back again. Guitarist Steve Masakowski and Dennard offer fine solos here. The title track, "Deep Blue" is a gorgeous contemporary piece. Saxman Brad Walker solos beautifully on this track. "Trois Fois" is a strolling triple-metered Gallic gymnopedie.

"Joe's Crusade" is a soft-rock send-up of Jazz Crusaders'

Joe Sample

piano
1939 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Sample's gospel-like tune that has "down south" overtones. Dennard is pure soul here. "Father" continues the sweet soul feel. It's an appropriate closer to a session drenched in Crescent City-flavor.

Deep Blue is a superb album that offers many aural delights. There's no straight-ahead bebop here, but there's a ton of texture and talent. It's fine listening and ear-easy.

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Track Listing

St. Charles Strut, Mojave, Wanderlust, Deep Blue, Trois Fois, Joe's Crusade, Father.

Personnel

Charlie Dennard

organ, Hammond B3

Charlie Dennard: piano, organ, keyboards; Doug Belote: drums, Max Moran: acoustic and electric bass; Steve Masakowski: acoustic guitar; Brian Seeger: electric guitar; Eric Lucero: trumpet and flugelhorn; Ray Moore: tenor and alto sax, flute; Mark Solis: tenor, alto, baritone sax, flute, bass clarinet; Jason Mingledorf: tenor sax, bass clarinet; Brad Walker; tenor sax; Rick Trolsen: trombone; Josh Geisler: bansuri flute; Carlos lopez: percussion; Andrew McLean: tabla, sarod.

Album information

Title: Deep Blue | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Self Produced

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