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Jeff Lashway: Reunion

By Nicholas F. Mondello
August 7, 2009
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Throughout the decades, the bands of trumpet legend

Maynard Ferguson

trumpet
1928 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Maynard Ferguson were, by very nature, heavily brass and ensemble section oriented. Occasionally, Ferguson's pianists were given the opportunity to shine, launching into extended solo tune introductions or brief solos. Some of those pianists were (or would become) stars or leaders in their own right. They included Mike Abene, Allan Zavod, Pete Jackson,

Jaki Byard

piano
1922 - 1999

" data-original-title="" title="">Jaki Byard,

Bob James

piano
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob James, Christian Jacob and others. Even

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea did a short stint before returning to forever.

With Reunion, his first CD as leader, ex-Ferguson pianist Jeff Lashway steps out—and up—to brilliantly demonstrate that he is an outstanding jazz pianist, composer and leader deserving of wider recognition. Accompanied by an all-star line-up, Lashway and friends deliver ten marvelously entertaining selections. This reunion is an intelligent, involving jazz swingfest.

From über-session drummer Vinnie Colauita's firestarter drum work on Lashway's neat "Get to the Gate," Reunion is a day and night of the cookers. Trumpeter

Jim Rotondi

trumpet
1962 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim Rotondi impresses heavily throughout with intricate, soulful solo efforts. His sound, both in ensemble and solo areas swings and invites ("The Touch of Your Lips"). Baritone saxophonist

Frank Basile

saxophone, baritone
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Basile has that beautifully muscular approach to his axe. Bassists Richard Drexler and

Todd Coolman

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Todd Coolman are just that; they propel.

Colauita, who has performed with everyone from Christina Aguilera to

Frank Zappa

guitar, electric
1940 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Zappa, drives and solos intelligently, as does drummer

John Jenkins

drums
1931 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">John Jenkins. Trombonist John Allred's slide smokes white-hot with

Carl Fontana

trombone
1928 - 2003

" data-original-title="" title="">Carl Fontana-esque inventiveness ("Doxy"). The addition of vocalist Jimmy Hall, who swings over a "Killer Joe" groove on "Down Here on the Ground" and sears soul on

Randy Newman

piano
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927," is a nice touch. That tune is part of a medley combined with classics "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans" and "Bourbon Street Parade." Lashway, a former and current resident of New Orleans, certainly knows his roots.

Jeff Lashway's playing gives the impression that he draws sounds and wonderfully improvised lines right out from the keyboard. He has that kind of touch and awesome

Oscar Peterson

piano
1925 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Peterson-worthy technical chops. With his swing ("One by One"), comping sensitivity ("Quintessence," showcasing the deep sound of Ferguson cohort

Jeff Rupert

saxophone
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Rupert), and soul ("Gingerbread Boy" and the slickly reworked "Airegin"), Lashway rises to this recording occasion and delivers.

The production values and engineering here are A-1. Random Act's donation scenario is also notable.

"Reunion" is a terrifically entertaining, swinging, and most enjoyable CD, the music and its players shining throughout. Hopefully Lashway and his team will reunite again soon.

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Track Listing

Get to the Gate; Doxy; Down Here on the Ground; The Touch of Your Lips; The Quintessence; Sweetbop; For NOLA (medley: Louisiana 1927; Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans; Bourbon St. Parade); One by One; Gingerbread Boy; Airegin.

Personnel

Jeff Lashway

piano

Jeff Lashway: piano; Jim Rotondi: trumpet; John Allred: trombone; Frank Basile: bari sax; Jeff Rupert: tenor sax; Richard Drexler: bass; Todd Coolman: bass; John Jenkins: drums; Vinnie Colaiuta: drums; Jimmy Hall: vocals.

Album information

Title: Reunion | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Random Act Records

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