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The Dam Jawn: Forward!

By Jack Bowers
February 12, 2025
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An addendum to the title of the Amsterdam-based quintet Dam Jawn's latest album, Forward!, reads "featuring

Dick Oatts

saxophone, alto
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Dick Oatts," which is perfectly suitable, as the acclaimed alto saxophonist plays a pivotal role in the tight-knit group's latest discourse, as he did on its earlier recording, Master Street (Challenge Records, 2023).

For those who may be wondering about the group's name, it is an amalgam of Dam (for its Amsterdam home) and Jawn, a term widely used in Philadelphia slang and one that marks a semester the quintet spent studying music at Philly's Temple University. Oatts, a longtime mentor who not only solos often but joins alto saxophonist

Martin Diaz

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Martin Diaz and tenor

Frank Groenendijk

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Groenendijk on the adroit front line, clearly enhances any enterprise in which he is involved, which is certainly the case here.

As to the music, it consists of nine original compositions, all but one of which (

John Hicks

piano
1941 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">John Hicks' "After the Morning") were composed by members of the group including four by guitarist

Joan Fort

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Joan Fort (whose spunky "Blues for Oatts" and sensuous ballad "Fairmount Park" are among the album's highlights). Diaz wrote "Maria's Lament," Groenendijk the title song, "Forward," bassist Peter Lewin the mellow bossa "Doors," drummer

Nitin Parree

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Nitin Parree the album's buoyant finale, "Shifts" (on which his sturdy timekeeping deftly steers the ship, as it does on "Blues for Oatts" and other numbers). The charts are burnished and admirable, the group tight and at ease regardless of tone or tempo.

Fort delivers a number of absorbing solos, most notably on "Fairmount Park" and "Song for Wong," while Gronendijk shines on "Blues for Oatts" and "Forward," and Diaz follows his lead, using soprano sax and flute to enliven the pensive "Maria's Lament." Lewin, as composer, assigns himself a long and charming solo on "Doors." Even without Oatts' presence, this is an above-average small-group session brightened by expressive solos, staunch ensemble work and excellent sound; with Oatts, it is raised to a level above that.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Wayne's Mind Eye; Song For Wong; After The Morning; Doors; Blues For Oatts; Fairmount Park; Forward; Maria's Lament; Shifts.

Personnel

Dick Oatts

saxophone, alto

Frank Groenendijk

saxophone, tenor

Martin Diaz

saxophone, alto

Joan Fort

guitar

Philip Lewin

bass

Nitin Parree

drums

Album information

Title: Forward! | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Cellar Music Group

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