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Greg Yasinitsky YAZZ Band: New Normal

By Jack Bowers
February 18, 2021
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As one good album clearly deserves another,

Greg Yasinitsky

saxophone
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Greg Yasinitsky, who wears many hats—composer, arranger, woodwind specialist and educator among them—has released New Normal, the second impressive outing by his admirable Washington state-based ensemble, the YAZZ Band, which varies in size from septet to tentet. Unlike Yasinitsky's earlier album, YAZZ Band, which was recorded basically in one session with fixed personnel, the coronavirus pandemic upended any such plan this time, forcing an end to in-person studio sessions after five tracks had been wrapped up and prompting Yasinitsky to become more creative, calling on friends from Los Angeles, Baton Rouge and even Italy to help complete the enterprise.

Trombonist

Francisco Torres

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Francisco Torres answered the call from Los Angeles, pianists

Willis Delony

" data-original-title="" title="">Willis Delony and

Teo Ciavarella

" data-original-title="" title="">Teo Ciavarella from Baton Rouge and Bologna, Italy, respectively, complementing Yasinitsky and a rhythm section consisting of bassist David Bjur and drummers David Jarvis or

Dan Bukvich

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Bukvich on the smaller-group numbers. The earlier (tentet) tracks were recorded in August 2019, the three remaining numbers in July and August 2020 (a testament to Yasinitsky's perseverance). Guitarist

Gabe Condon

" data-original-title="" title="">Gabe Condon joins the ensemble on "Blues for Brecker."

Having set the scene, it's time to assess the music. First, Yasinitsky is "old school" in the sense that he writes music that is melodically and harmonically pleasing and also swings. Fans of, say,

Woody Herman

band / ensemble / orchestra
1913 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Woody Herman,

Maynard Ferguson

trumpet
1928 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Maynard Ferguson or

Buddy Rich

drums
1917 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy Rich should have no trouble warming to these charts. The sunny opener, "G.P.," sets the pace, the tentet swinging happily forward after a stutter-stop intro on the wings of earnest solos by trumpeter

Vern Sielert

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Vern Sielert, Yasinitsky (on tenor), pianist

Jake Svendsen

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Jake Svendsen and drummer

David Jarvis

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">David Jarvis. Yasinitsky and pianist Ciavarella are front and center on the septet's groovy "Song for Laura," Yasinitsky (soprano), Sielert, Davis and guitarist Condon on the funky and fascinating "Blues for Brecker," written for the late saxophonist

Michael Brecker

saxophone, tenor
1949 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Brecker. The tentet returns, swinging again—albeit in a mellower vein—on another blues, this one for "A King," with engaging solos by Svendsen, Sielert, tenor saxophonist

Horace Alexander Young

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Alexander Young and bassist

F. David Snider

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">F. David Snider.

Torres, Delony and Yasinitsky (tenor) brighten the lustrous "New Normal" before the tentet takes charge again on "Diva," "Synergetic" and "Hangtown Fry," each of which bears Yasinitsky's swashbuckling trademark. Solos on "Diva" are by Young (alto), Yasinitsky (tenor) and Jarvis; on "Synergetic" by Yasinitsky, this time on baritone; and on the edgy, flag-waving finale, "Hangtown Fry," by Yasinitsky (tenor), trombonist

Dave Glenn

trombone
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Glenn and drummer Bukvich. If old- fashioned swinging in a contemporary wardrobe enlivens your curiosity, try the New Normal on for size and YAZZ up your life.

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Track Listing

G.P.;?Song for Laura;?Blues for Brecker;?Blues for a King;?New Normal;?Diva;?Synergetic;?Hangtown Fry.

Personnel

Greg Yasinitsky

saxophone

Vanessa Sielert

saxophone, alto

Horace Alexander Young

saxophone, tenor

David Larsen

saxophone, baritone

John Harbaugh

trumpet

Vern Sielert

trumpet

Dave Glenn

trombone

Jake Svendsen

piano

F. David Snider

bass

David Jarvis

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Francisco Torres: trombone; Gabe Condon: guitar; Teo Ciavarella: piano; Willis Delony: piano; David Bjur: bass; Dan Bukvich: drums.

Album information

Title: New Normal | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Origin Records

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