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Mike LeDonne: Keep the Faith

By Jack Bowers
November 1, 2011
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Connecticut-born / New York-based Mike LeDonne, who divides his time these days between piano and organ, has begun to record more frequently on the Hammond B3, especially with his suitably named Groover Quartet which, according to Owen Cordle's liner notes to Keep the Faith, has been together now for more than a decade. And that's a good thing, as these gentlemen certainly know how to groove, and do so with abandon on an album recorded roughly a year after the quartet's well-received The Groover (Savant 2100, 2010).

The organ trio has, of course, been a staple of small-group jazz for more than half a century, but LeDonne has expanded its range and power by adding another voice, that of the superlative tenor saxophonist

Eric Alexander

saxophone, tenor
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Alexander, who earned his spurs with organist

Charles Earland

organ, Hammond B3
1941 - 1999

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Earland's group nearly two decades ago and, since then, has risen steadily to the top rank among contemporary tenors. LeDonne and Alexander are bolstered by a brace of seasoned pros, guitarist

Peter Bernstein

guitar
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Bernstein and drummer

Joe Farnsworth

drums
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Farnsworth. On the other hand, perhaps "bolstered" isn't the proper word, as this is above all a quartet of equals, and Bernstein and Farnsworth's voices are no less decisive (or incisive) than LeDonne's or Alexander's.

Even so, it is the organ that enriches the groove, regardless of tempo, and LeDonne is impressively immersed in its tradition, echoing and saluting such eminent predecessors / role models as Earland,

Jimmy Smith

organ, Hammond B3
1925 - 2005

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Smith,

Don Patterson

organ, Hammond B3
1936 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Patterson and

Jimmy McGriff

organ, Hammond B3
1936 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy McGriff, among others. LeDonne pays homage to another groove-based organist, the late

Big John Patton

organ, Hammond B3
1935 - 2002

" data-original-title="" title="">Big John Patton, with "Big John," while Earland wrote the impulsive title selection. LeDonne also composed "Scratchin,'" "Burner's Idea" and "Waiting for You" (the last for his daughter, Mary) to complement "The Backstabbers,"

Michael Jackson

vocals
1958 - 2009

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel,"

Donny Hathaway

vocals
1945 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Donny Hathaway's ballad "Someday We'll All Be Free" and

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver's slow-cooked finale, "Sweet Sweetie Dee."

No matter the setting, Alexander is always a pleasure to hear, while Bernstein affirms on every solo that the blues are in his soul. As for Farnsworth, he does what drummers do best, and that means keeping immaculate time and making sure his teammates are always in the spotlight. LeDonne, for his part, solos with enthusiasm and intelligence and comps the same way. Keep the Faith embodies another persuasive hour of well-grooved jazz by LeDonne's admirable quartet.

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Track Listing

The Backstabbers; Keep the Faith; Big John; The Way You Make Me Feel; Someday We'll All Be Free; Scratchin'; Waiting for You; Burner's Idea; Sweet Sweetie Dee.

Personnel

Mike LeDonne

organ, Hammond B3

Mike LeDonne: Hammond B3 organ; Eric Alexander: tenor saxophone; Peter Bernstein: guitar; Joe Farnsworth: drums.

Album information

Title: Keep the Faith | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Savant Records

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Mike LeDonne Concerts

Sep 27 Sat

Jazz Fest Day

Northampton Jazz Festival
Northampton, MA

Nov 13 Thu

Mike LeDonne Trio - Hammond B3 Week

Blues Alley
Washington, DC

Nov 13 Thu

Mike LeDonne Trio - Hammond B3 Week

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