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Jeff Holmes Quartet: Of One's Own

By Bruce Lindsay
November 2, 2012
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It's not the job of liner notes to critically appraise the recording for which they were written. Liner notes are supposed to be laudatory, occasionally hagiographic, but they're never meant to critique. That's the job of the review. Reviews don't make good liner notes and vice versa. Exceptions prove rules, however. So congratulations must go to

Arturo O'Farrill

piano
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Arturo O'Farrill, because his excellent liner notes for the debut album from pianist Jeff Holmes' Quartet—the equally excellent Of One's Own—could readily serve as a review.

When O'Farrill, a noted composer and musician, writes that "This is a delightful record... funny, quirky, personal jazz," which "feels like it is a gathering of friends" he is, to use an old clich��, telling it like it is. Of One's Own is a joy, an album filled with funny, beautiful, thoughtful and upbeat tunes.

This may be the quartet's recording debut, but the band members have many years experience. Holmes, who wrote all of the original tunes on the record, is Professor of music at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a former member of

Vince Giordano

composer / conductor
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Vince Giordano's Nighthawks. Bassist

James Cammack

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">James Cammack played with

Ahmad Jamal

piano
1930 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Ahmad Jamal for 30 years,

Steve Johns

drums
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Johns was

Billy Taylor

piano
1921 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Taylor's first-choice drummer and saxophonist

Adam Kolker

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Kolker's resum�� includes work with

Ray Barretto

congas
1929 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Barretto and

Maria Schneider

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Maria Schneider.

Holmes' own compositions range from the graceful and flowing "The Senses Delight," to the slinky Latin groove of "One For C.J."-underpinned by Cammack's terrific bass line- and the angular gospel inflections of "Macaroons." "Rose On Driftwood" is a meditative, languid tune that stays below the radar initially but repays repeated listening by unfolding a wealth of musical ideas.

The band brings a freshness to a couple of classics. Holmes' version of Nat Simon's "Poinciana"-which O'Farrill and Jamal have both recorded-is slow and romantic. Kolker plays the melody on bass clarinet: a surprising choice perhaps, but an effective one as the instrument's rich, warm tone adds a touch of melancholy. The album closes with Rodgers and Hammerstein's "So Long, Farewell." It's a suitably valedictory title. Holmes turns the tune into a straight-ahead swinger with Kolker's tenor sax and Johns' drumming crackling with energy. So long, the band seems to say, but we'll be back soon.

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Track Listing

Macaroons; Labour Day; Poinciana; The Senses Delight; One For C.J.; Waltz #3; Of One's Own; Rose On Driftwood; So Long, Farewell.

Personnel

Jeff Holmes: piano; Adam Kolker: soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; James Cammack: acoustic and electric bass; Steve Johns: drums.

Album information

Title: Of One's Own | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Miles High Records

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