Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Steven Kroon: On The #1
Steven Kroon: On The #1
Aretha Franklin
vocals1942 - 2018
Ron Carter
bassb.1937
Jimmy Heath
saxophone, tenor1926 - 2020
Diana Krall
piano and vocalsb.1964
Stanley Turrentine
saxophone, tenor1934 - 2000
Many will forever think of Kroon as a support player of note, but more and more listeners are starting to know him as a leader. He's increasingly focused on his own work since the turn of the century, releasing four polished leader dates prior to this one. And while his sideman work often marks him as a masterful player in various straight-ahead settings, he's used his own group(s) to highlight his love of Latin jazz. Rumba, mambo, bomba, bossa nova, and samba all come into focus at various times during this upbeat-and-invigorating program.
There's a tight-and-slick element surrounding the bottom-end of these pieces, but a light-and-gay quality often comes through on the melodic end of the spectrum. Joyful sounds ("On The One"), a gentle flow ("As Time Goes By"), and sly suggestions ("Camel Rise") all rise to the surface at various moments during this outing.
Some bandleaders are believers in shaking up the personnel list from record to record, but Kroon isn't one of them. The core players on On The #1 have all appeared on record with Kroon in the past. These musicians—vibraphonist
Bryan Carrott
vibraphoneb.1959
Ruben Rodriguez
bassIgor Atalita
pianoCraig Rivers
flute
Vince Cherico
drums
Tim Ries
saxophone
James Shipp
percussionb.1980
On The #1 takes its name from Kroon's signature sign-off phrase, referencing the idea of "being right on point" and "focused." It was a wise title choice, as it's the perfect way to describe this music. ">
Track Listing
On The One; Roots; I Know You Do; Phantom Of The Island; As Time Goes By; Dust Till Dawn; When There Is Love; Camel Rise; Touch.
Personnel
Steven Kroon
percussionSteven Kroon: congas, percussion; Igor Atalita: keyboards; Bryan Carrott: vibraphone; Ruben Rodriguez: bass; Craig Rivers: flute; Vince Cherico: drums; Tim Ries: saxophone.
Album information
Title: On The #1 | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Kroonatune
Tags
Steven Kroon
CD/LP/Track Review
Dan Bilawsky
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
Kroonatune
United States
New York
New York City
Aretha Franklin
Ron Carter
Jimmy Heath
Diana Krall
Stanley Turrentine
Bryan Carrott
Ruben Rodriguez
Igor Atalita
Craig Rivers
Vince Cherico
Tim Ries
James Shipp
On The #1
Comments
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