Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » John Fifield: It Is What It Is

John Fifield: It Is What It Is

By Matthew Warnock
September 19, 2010
View read count

It is What It Is is an entertaining and exciting modern-jazz album from Florida based guitarist John Fifield. The album mixes modern harmony and feel with Latin and rock grooves in a manner that is a nod to those who have come before, while still keeping one eye firmly on the forward horizon. All of the players are sharp on this session, which only adds to the interest created by Fifield's well thought-out compositions and arrangements.

As a guitarist, Fifield has moments when he channels the likes of

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny; on "The Music Box," he shreds a la

Allan Holdsworth

guitar, electric
1948 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Allan Holdsworth and

Frank Gambale

guitar
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Gambale; and he plays with an entirely personalized style on "July Rain (Reprise)." By mixing in recognizable material from some of the genres greats with his own unique approach to modern-jazz improvisation, Fifield succeeds in creating a listening space that is not completely interpreted or entirely abstract. His understanding of modern and traditional jazz harmony and melody are clearly evident, and the fact that he takes chances while interjecting his own voice into the music is as refreshing as it is entertaining.

The album also features memorable performances by bassist

Ric Fierabracci

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Ric Fierabracci, who channels the ghost of

Jaco Pastorius

bass, electric
1951 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Jaco Pastorius on several tracks with his fretless bass work. As well, vibraphonist extraordinaire

Joe Locke

vibraphone
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Locke is brilliant on both the melody and improvised section of "Sophie." Knowing when to play and when to sit back and let the band dig in on the time, Locke's melodic interpretation and trading on the track are one of the album's highlights. Violinist

Christian Howes

violin
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Christian Howes is also superb throughout the record, contributing some top-notch soloing on tracks like "Ashtanga." Though the violin is often pushed aside in the jazz world, it is players such as Howes who prove, time and again, that the instrument, when played at this level, can compete melodically with any instrument in the genre.

Overall, Fifield's It Is What It Is is a noteworthy release: the tunes are craftily arranged; the improvisations range from sultry to blistering and everything in between; and the group dynamic is stellar. Though Fifield may not have the household name of a Metheny or Holdsworth, this album should go a long way to bringing wider recognition to a much deserving player.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

The Music Box; Mulata; Little Skittle; July Rain (Part 1); Sophie; Ashtanga; July Rain (Reprise); Skank This.

Personnel

John Fifield

guitar

John Fifield: guitar; Ric Fierabracci: electric bass; Sammy Figueroa: percussion (5); Darrell Griffin: vocals (8); Christian Howes: violin, octave-geige; Joe Locke: vibes and synth (5); Don Miller: acoustic bass (1); Joel Rosenblatt: drums; Debbie Spring: viola (2).

Album information

Title: It Is What It Is | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: TMB Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Opening
< Previous

Miles: The Autobiography... Two Deca...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.