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Blue Muse: It Never Entered My Mind

By Hrayr Attarian
July 26, 2021
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Blue Muse, the ensemble that tenor saxophonist

Sarah Lee

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Sarah Lee founded, plays mainstream jazz with elegance and vigor. The group's second recording, the delightful It Never Entered My Mind, is an engaging batch of standards crackling with vibrant spontaneity which highlights both the distinctive virtuosity and the combined artistry of the musicians involved.

Pianist

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver's rhythmically intricate "Nutville" opens with drummer

John Medico

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">John Medico's brisk rumble leading to the effervescent main theme. Trumpeter

Steve Strawley

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Strawley launches into an energetic solo with blistering tones. Lee, with her own cool, dynamic improvisation is the perfect foil for Strawley. Trombonist

Lance Reed

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Lance Reed takes center stage with agility and eloquence. Medico deftly ushers in the tune's concluding head with his thunderous beats.

Another drummer

Jack Miller

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack Miller drives saxophonist

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter's "One by One" with his suave and understated thrums. Pianist

Javian Francis

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Javian Francis embellishes the melody with intelligence and grace, while the horns each take their turn in the spotlight with soulful swagger. Guitarist

Jarrett Carter

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Jarrett Carter contributes warm, muscular chords while bassist

Cody Wheaton

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Cody Wheaton adds a lyrical touch with his reverberating strings.

Pianist

Joe Sample

piano
1939 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Sample's "Freedom Sound" is a spirited and moving piece which the band interprets with simmering passion and quiet poetry. Francis shines with a contemplative extemporization over Wheaton and Medico's martial cadence. Carter follows with a mellow and sophisticated soliloquy while Strawley's muted tones add a touch of mysticism to the tune.

The sole ballad, the title track, which Carter arranged, has a languid harmony and cinematic ambience. Its interweaving forlorn lines shimmer against one another with pastel hues. Strawley blows gentle and muted notes while Reed adds pillowy warm ones. Carter's intimate and wistful performance seamlessly blends into the multi-layered, collective, sound. This Rodgers and Hart song concludes with subtlety and finesse.

With this enjoyable album Blue Muse have created an accessible and captivating work, one which is rooted in tradition yet refreshingly contemporary Its superb blend of charismatic individual expressions and satisfying and cohesive camaraderie makes for a satisfying listening experience.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

One by One; It Never Entered My Mind; Nutville; Sweet n Sour; Freedom Sound; Ping Pong.

Personnel

Sarah Lee

saxophone, tenor

Steve Strawley

trumpet

Lance Reed

trombone

Jarrett Carter

guitar

Javian Francis

piano

Cody Wheaton

bass, acoustic

Jack Miller

drums

John Medico

drums

Album information

Title: It Never Entered My Mind | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Self Produced

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