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Dave Bass: No Boundaries

By Rob Rosenblum
May 22, 2020
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While No Boundaries is technically led by pianist

Dave Bass

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Bass, it seems that the company is kind of burying the lead. The real headliner here is the multi talented

" data-original-title="" title="">Ted Nash.

Nash certainly has a jazz pedigree, with both a father and an uncle who were top notch performers themselves. Nash has also been a frequent member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, led by

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis.

The back story on Bass is that he was a pianist in his youth, left the music field for a career in law, and is now making a comeback. He is a very competent pianist and, apparently, prolific composer—he wrote eight of the thirteen tunes on this album. His solos are pleasant and his support of Nash tasty and thoughtful. But it is Nash that grabs the spotlight every time except for the final tune—

Bud Powell

piano
1924 - 1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Bud Powell's "Hallucinations"—which is a trio number.

Nash is whimsical on

Lennie Tristano

piano
1919 - 1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Lennie Tristano's classic "Lennie's Pennies," sticking mostly to his warm middle-register. He switches to alto for a bluesy foray on "Spy Movie End Credits," and becomes irresistibly edgy on "Agenbite of Inwit" with a touch of

Eric Dolphy

woodwinds
1928 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Dolphy buried within his smooth almost Desmond-like tone. He is absolutely haunting behind vocalist

Karrin Allyson

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Karrin Allyson on Roger's and Hammerstein's "If I Loved You." He is passionately Latin on soprano on the classic "Siboney." His personality becomes more raucous when he switches to tenor on "Neither Have I Wings." He displays his more introverted side, sticking largely to the middle register when he picks up the clarinet on "Danzon #1," and he offers a Middle Eastern feel on "In The Rain." "Swing Theory" is one of the more adventurous pieces harmonically, and Nash takes full advantage of the freedom in his flute solo.

Bass' compositions do have some interesting twists and turns, but never rise to the level of a jazz standard. His playing is careful, pleasantly comforting, but without much of a dynamic range. Vocalist Karrin Allyson, bassist

Carlos Henriquez

bass
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Carlos Henriquez and drummer

Jerome Jennings

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jerome Jennings as well as an array of percussionists put in consistent and professional outings.

With the exception of Nash, there are no surprises or outstanding moments. Nevertheless, this is a pleasant and thoughtful album, worth several listens.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Lennie's Pennies; Spy Movie End Credits; Agenbite of Inwit; If I Loved You; La Mulata Rumbera; Tango Adaglo; Time of My Life; Siboney; Neither Have I Wings; Danzon #1; Swing Theory; In The Rain; Hallucinations.

Personnel

Dave Bass

piano

Additional Instrumentation

Dave Bass - piano Ted Nash - flute, alto flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano sax, alto sax, tenor sax (all tracks except 13) Karrin Allyson - vocals (tracks 4, 7) Carlos Henriquez - bass Jerome Jennings - drums (all tracks except 5, 8, 10) Carlos Caro - guiro, bongos, bell (tracks 2, 4, 5, 8, 10) Miguel Valdes - bata, conga (tracks 5, 8, 10) Mauricio Hernandez - timbales, maracas (tracks 4, 5, 8, 10)

Album information

Title: No Boundaries | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Whaling City Sound

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