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Jon Bentley: Go Ahead!

By Jack Bowers
May 10, 2025
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There is really nothing to censure on Vancouver, Canada-based tenor saxophonist

Jon Bentley

saxophone, tenor
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Bentley's latest album, Go Ahead! On the other hand, there is nothing of any import that sets it apart from other straight-ahead quartet sessions aside from the fact that Bentley employs an organ and guitar to replace the usual piano and bass.

Bentley plays the tenor well, hanging for the most part in a comfortable and pleasing groove, the like of which can be said for the other members of the ensemble: guitarist

Tristan Paxton

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Tristan Paxton, organist

Chris Gestrin

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Gestrin and drummer

Joe Poole

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Poole. Together, the quartet cruises easily through a largely attractive program that embraces five of Bentley's respectable compositions, well- drawn jazz themes by

Brad Mehldau

piano
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Brad Mehldau,

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter and

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington, and Paul Simon's soulful "Still Crazy After All These Years."

The studio date opens with Bentley's buoyant "Balcony Jogger," a sauntering "Tucka" and the fast-paced "Trane's Terrain" (on which Bentley unleashes his impressive chops) before turning to Mehldau's tender ballad, "Don't Be Sad." Bentley wrote the title song, which follows, and the obvious salute to guitarist

Wes Montgomery

guitar
1923 - 1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Wes Montgomery, "Movin' Further Wes," on which Paxton delivers one of several perceptive and engaging solos. "Still Crazy" is next, followed by Shorter's not-by-any-means "Down in the Depths" and Ellington's handsome and eloquent closer, "The Feeling of Jazz."

As noted, everyone is focused and secure, singly and collectively, giving the listener nothing about which to complain. Go Ahead! is basically a very good blowing session overseen by four very good musicians who keep their heads down and tend to business while doing whatever is needed to enrich the music.

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Track Listing

Balcony Jogger; Tucka'; Trane's Terrain; Don't Be Sad; Go Ahead!; Movin' Further Wes; Still Crazy After All These Years; Down In The Depths; The Feeling Of Jazz

Personnel

Jon Bentley

saxophone, tenor

Chris Gestrin

piano

Joe Poole

drums

Tristan Paxton

guitar

Album information

Title: Go Ahead! | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Cellar Music Group

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