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Jon-Erik Kellso and the EarRegulars: Live at the Ear Inn

By Jack Bowers
August 31, 2023
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Jon-Erik Kellso and the EarRegulars: Live at the Ear Inn

As trumpeter

Jon-Erik Kellso

cornet
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon-Erik Kellso and his EarRegulars had been performing every Sunday night for more than sixteen years at New York City's historic Ear Inn, Kellso reasoned it was time that one of their concerts should be recorded to share more broadly the fun and enthusiasm that animates every session. Once the ties had been bound, parts of two concerts were recorded, on January 15 and 29, 2023.

The music is a hybrid, with one foot planted securely in the time-honored Dixie tradition, the other marching steadily toward swing. What is most clear is that every member of the group is happy and at ease playing this style of music, notwithstanding how others may label it. They are simply having a good time, and it shows.

This is basically an octet, with Kellso a constant. Saxophonists

Scott Robinson

saxophone, tenor
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Robinson and

Jay Rattman

saxophone
b.1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Jay Rattman, clarinetist

Evan Christopher

clarinet
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Evan Christopher, trombonist

John Allred

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">John Allred, guitarist

Matt Munisteri

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Munisteri, bassists

Neal Miner

bass, acoustic
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Neal Miner and Pat O'Leary are present on most numbers, guitarist

Chris Flory

guitar
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Flory on two ("Indian Summer," "Vignette"). There is one vocal, by blues-belter

Catherine Russell

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Catherine Russell, on the closing "Back O' Town Blues," the only song on the menu not written in the '20s, '30s or '40s.

Kellso and Allred are splendid soloists, while Robinson is his usual clever and unpredictable self, on tenor saxophone, tarogato ("I'm Coming Virginia") or alto Normaphone ("No One Else But You"). That is not to discount the guitarists, each of whom more than holds his own, with Munisteri and Flory trading bracing licks on "Vignette," pianist

Hank Jones

piano
1918 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Hank Jones' take on the standard "Sweet Sue." Rattman offers a sharp alto saxophone solo on "I Double Dare You," as does Christopher.

While some may say the music on Live at the Deer Inn is outdated, others may argue as forcefully that good music never grows old—especially not in such capable hands. The audience clearly appreciated the freewheeling performance, and chances are good that others would too.

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Track Listing

Sleep; I��m Coming Virginia; No One Else But You; Indian Summer; Vignette; I Double Dare You; Back O�� Town Blues.

Personnel

Jon-Erik Kellso

cornet

John Allred

trombone

Scott Robinson

saxophone, tenor

Jay Rattman

saxophone

Matt Munisteri

guitar

Chris Flory

guitar

Neal Miner

bass, acoustic

Pat O'Leary

bass

Evan Christopher

clarinet

Catherine Russell

vocals

Album information

Title: Live at the Ear Inn | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Arbors Records

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