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Acceleration Due To Gravity: Jonesville

By Pierre Giroux
February 16, 2024
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Bassist, composer and arranger

Moppa Elliott

bass
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Moppa Elliott's uniquely-titled nonet Acceleration Due To Gravity presents Jonesville a gravity- defying jazz odyssey. It pays a captivating homage to influential bassist

Sam Jones

bass, acoustic
1924 - 1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Jones by weaving a sonic tapestry which transcends the boundaries of conventional jazz. In this brief seven-track, twenty-one-minute outing, four compositions are by Elliott, with the remainder being Sam Jones' originals. The members of the octet who participated in this unusual musical excursion are trumpeter

Bobby Spellman

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Spellman, trombonist

Dave Taylor

trombone, bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Taylor, alto saxophonist

Matt Nelson

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Nelson, tenor saxophonist

Stacy Dillard

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Stacy Dillard, baritone saxophonist

Kyle Saulnier

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Kyle Saulnier, guitarist

Ava Mendoza

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Ava Mendoza, pianist

George Burton

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">George Burton and drummer

Mike Pride

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Pride.

The opener is a swinging Sam Jones composition, "Choice," and, like most of the other numbers, is experienced through a dynamic interplay of loops and improvisations. The varying interactions and exchanges between Dillard and Nelson, Saulnier and Mendoza, and Taylor and Spellman exemplify the written variations and spontaneous improvisations. The second Jones original is "Miami Drag," which he wrote in the '50s as part of the

Paul Williams

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Williams band. It features pianist George Burton's improvisation with a density of upper-register notes leading to Taylor's plunger-muted bass trombone interjection. The final Jones composition is "Stack of Dollars," which he penned when working with

Tiny Bradshaw

composer / conductor
1905 - 1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Tiny Bradshaw's R&B band in the mid-1950s. It opens with some ear- piercing, high-note screeching from alto saxophonist Matt Nelson before trumpeter Bobby Spellman settles into the texture of the music.

The remaining four new pieces reflect the compositional prowess of bassist Moppa Elliott. These musical vignettes have a unique identity but are informed by Sam Jones' music. The first is "Delaware Water Gap," a musical jumble requiring intense listening. Once the labyrinth of notes is sorted out, the result is an auditory adventure which is intellectually stimulating. The closing and title track is "Jonesville." The chart continues with the process that enables the music to be the defining essence of the participating musicians as they till the ground for their improvisations. The project is a testament to the boundless possibilities when creativity and tradition collide.

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Track Listing

Choice; Delaware Water Gap; Miami Drag; Unity; Cedar Run; Stack of Dollars; Jonesville.

Personnel

Moppa Elliott

bass

Bobby Spellman

trumpet

Dave Taylor

trombone, bass

Matt Nelson

saxophone

Stacy Dillard

saxophone

Kyle Saulnier

bass, acoustic

Ava Mendoza

guitar

George Burton

piano

Mike Pride

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Kyle Saulnier: baritone sax, #1-7

Album information

Title: Jonesville | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Hot Cups

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