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Nathan Borton: Each Step

By Jane Kozhevnikova
May 29, 2022
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Each Step is the debut recording by guitarist Nathan Borton. As his website accurately states, Borton draws heavily from the mid-western tradition of bebop and blues. His influences include

Wes Montgomery

guitar
1923 - 1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Wes Montgomery,

Grant Green

guitar
1935 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Grant Green and

Kenny Burrell

guitar, electric
b.1931

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Burrell.

The album offers an enjoyable tour through the straight-ahead tradition. There are three standards early on:

Cole Porter

composer / conductor
1891 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Cole Porter's "Just One of Those Things,"

Harry Warren

" data-original-title="" title="">Harry Warren's "The More I See You" and

" data-original-title="" title="">John Lewis' "Milestones." These show the virtuosity of Borton's solo lines. His lyricism shines in the ballade part of "The More I See You." In the melody of "Milestones,"

Diego Rivera

saxophone, tenor
b.1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Diego Rivera creates a beautiful blend with the guitar on the tenor saxophone. The masterful rhythm section of

Rodney Whitaker

bass
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Rodney Whitaker on bass and

Keith Hall

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Hall on drums swings hard.

In addition to the standards, Each Step includes four of Borton's original compositions and one piece by his mentor and album producer,

Randy Napoleon

guitar
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Napoleon. Borton's "What Now?" is refreshing after the three standards immediately preceding it. This piece is also distinctive for its faster sections with intriguing harmonies and brilliant piano lines by

Xavier Davis

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Xavier Davis. Jazz guitar traditions continue in Napoleon's "These Are the Things We Throw Away." Borton's "Change," which follows, brings new colors with bass trombonist

Chris Glassman

trombone, bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Glassman playing a lyrical solo. Next Borton pays another homage to tradition with

Grant Green

guitar
1935 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Grant Green's "Grantstand." The album's closer, Borton's "Grant's Groove," has a more modern vibe and creates a powerful conclusion. With Each Step, Borton stays true to jazz guitar traditions while building his own sound step by step.

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Track Listing

Each Step; Just One of Those Things; The More I See You; Milestones; What Now?; These Are the Things We Throw Away; Change; Grantstand; Grant's Groove.

Personnel

Nathan Borton

guitar

Xavier Davis

piano

Rodney Whitaker

bass

Keith Hall

drums

Diego Rivera

saxophone, tenor

Chris Glassman

trombone, bass

Album information

Title: Each Step | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: OA2 Records

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