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Mike DiRubbo: Repercussion

By C. Michael Bailey
July 18, 2009
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The immediate appeal of alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo's Repercussion is the replacement of the piano by the vibraphone as the rhythm section's harmony instrument. Guitar-based and piano-less rhythm sections have made their way into the mainstream, leaving the vibraphone-based rhythm section still a novelty.

DiRubbo is certainly not the first to employ such a format. Trombonist

Grachan Moncur III

trombone
1937 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Grachan Moncur III's Evolution (Blue Note, 1963) had

Bobby Hutcherson

vibraphone
1941 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Hutcherson on vibes with no piano and saxophonist

Wayne Escoffery

saxophone, tenor
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Escoffery's Veneration: Live at Smoke (Savant Records, 2007) used

Joe Locke

vibraphone
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Locke to splendid effect. Drummer

Ralph Peterson

drums
1962 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Ralph Peterson's Fo'Tet Augmented (Criss Cross, 2004) pits clarinetist

Don Byron

clarinet
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Byron against vibraphonist

Bryan Carrott

vibraphone
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Bryan Carrott.

The vibraphone provides more wide open space when used in place of a piano, charging the remaining instruments the responsibility of carrying additional creative water. In this way it is perfect as a harmony instrument or for soloing.

But enough about vibes, they are not leading the date. DiRubbo is an alto saxophonist and a darn good one at that. A student of the late

Jackie McLean

saxophone, alto
1932 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Jackie McLean, his tone is full-choked like

Dexter Gordon

saxophone, tenor
1923 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Dexter Gordon and

King Curtis

saxophone
1934 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">King Curtis's tenor saxophones.

DiRubbo illustrates these characteristics on the opening original minor blues, "Repercussion." Nelson lays down a skeleton riff that this picked up by bassist

Dwayne Burno

bass
1970 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Dwayne Burno and drummer

Tony Reedus

drums
1959 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Reedus (who passed away shortly after this recording). Nelson's tone is sharp and close, like that of a marimba, and DiRubbo soars in an understated way through his serpentine head and solo.

Dave Brubeck

piano
1920 - 2012

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Brubeck's "The Duke" is one of the two standards on the disc. It is presented coolly, not veering far from the song that enchanted

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis' Miles Ahead (Columbia, 1957) sessions. DiRubbo keeps his groove going through the remainder of the disc, providing a fully satisfying jazz offering.

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Track Listing

Repercussion; The Duke; Lunar; Highbridge Lullaby; Nightfall; Deja Vu; Too Late Now; Nelsonian; Pisces Rising.

Personnel

Mike DiRubbo

saxophone, alto

Mike DiRubbo: alto saxophone; Steve Nelson: vibraphone; Dwayne Burno: bass; Tony Reedus: drums.

Album information

Title: Repercussion | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Posi-Tone Records

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