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The Bill McBirnie Trio: Find Your Place

By Edward Blanco
March 9, 2014
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Canadian jazz flautist Bill McBirnie fronts a unique organ trio on Find Your Place, his sixth album as a leader. McBirnie lends his "Extreme" flute and award-winning chops to an array of swing, Latin-flavored, bossa nova, shuffle and ballads in one audacious outing. Joining forces with fellow Canadians

Bernie Senensky

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Bernie Senensky on Hammond B3 organ and

Anthony Michelli

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony Michelli on drums, the trio play their way through a sensational selection of standards from such icons as

Cole Porter

composer / conductor
1891 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Cole Porter,

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver,

Duke Pearson

piano
1932 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Pearson and

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk, among others.

A jazz and Latin specialist based in Toronto, McBirnie's reputation is solid. He demonstrates uncanny ability as an improviser throughout, beginning with a Latin-styled Porter classic, "So In Love," delivering one mighty solo after another. The variety of selections even touches upon gospel sound with a bouncy rendition of

Sy Oliver

arranger
1910 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Sy Oliver's "Yes, Indeed!" The trio takes off on a swinging read of Silver's spicy "Sister Sadie," then launches into a humbling treatment of the Lennon/McCartney shuffle "Oh! Darling," where Senensky's talents on organ are aptly displayed.

McBirnie keeps the sound interesting by evoking a little bebop flavor on the

Gigi Gryce

saxophone
1927 - 1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Gigi Gryce standard "Minority." The entire band is in exceptional form, with solos from each member. A standout tune is the gorgeous, bossa nova-styled "Estate," eclipsed only by a swinging version of Duke Pearson's oft-recorded "Jeanine," clearly an album highlight. The group slows down for the recording's only real ballad, with the warm "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You" and then turns modal on

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter's "Yes Or No," before returning to Latin flair in a nice, peppy take on

Dexter Gordon

saxophone, tenor
1923 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Dexter Gordon's "Soy Califa."

The album closes with a swinging rendition of Monk's "Rhythm-A-Thing" and a terrific, bossa nova-tinged McBirnie original, the title track dedicated to his wife, Svetlana. There seems to be a little something for almost everyone who likes music on this varied effort, making it easy to find your groove, as McBirnie so appropriately states. Flute, organ and drums never sounded so good together as on the well-crafted Find Your Place, sure to find its place in the discerning jazz aficionado's collection.

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Track Listing

So In Love; Yes Indeed!; Sister Sadie; Oh! Darlin; Minority; Estate; Jeannine; Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You; Yes Or No; Soy Califa; Rhythm- A-Ning; Find Your Place.

Personnel

Bill McBirnie

flute

Bill McBirnie: flute; Bernie Senenesky: Hammond B3 organ; Anthony Mitchell: drums.

Album information

Title: Find Your Place | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Extreme Flute

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