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The Stryker/Slagle Band Expanded: Routes

By Mark Sullivan
May 4, 2016
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The Stryker/Slagle Band Expanded: Routes

Guitarist

Dave Stryker

guitar
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Stryker and saxophonist

Steve Slagle

saxophone, alto
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Slagle met the night Stryker auditioned for organist

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack McDuff when he first moved to New York, and they have co-led the Stryker/Slagle Band since 2003. Until now the group has always been a quartet (with occasional guests), but with the addition of keyboards and three horns it is definitely "expanded." Both men have experience playing with horns, with arranger Slagle having been a member of big bands like

Carla Bley

piano
1938 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Carla Bley's,

Charlie Haden

bass, acoustic
1937 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra, and the

Mingus Big Band

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Mingus Big Band. So the expanded instrumentation probably shouldn't be completely unexpected, but it is still a pleasant surprise.

The new approach is most evident in the arrangement of the only cover,

Charles Mingus

bass, acoustic
1922 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Mingus' beautiful ballad "Self-Portrait in Three Colors." Stryker/Slagle recorded it as a quartet on Latest Outlook (Zoho Music, 2007), a spare version that pared the song down to its essentials. Here it is given a lush arrangement using the unusual combination of flute, French horn, bass clarinet and tuba. For his solo Slagle switches back to alto saxophone, followed by Styker and bassist

Gerald Cannon

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerald Cannon.

If every tune featured a round of solos the album would have quickly gotten bloated. So the leaders get the most solo space, but not without the added spice offered by their fine expanded lineup. Pianist

Bill O'Connell

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill O'Connell solos on several tracks, notably piano on the title tune and Fender Rhodes on "Great Plains." The latter tune is Stryker's ballad, which also features solos from veteran French horn player

John Clark

french horn
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">John Clark and tenor saxophonist

Billy Drewes

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Drewes. The closer "Lickety Split Lounge" (named by Stryker for the Harlem club where that Jack McDuff audition occurred) gives generous solo space to trombonist

Clark Gayton

trombone
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Clark Gayton.

Routes really is the best of both worlds. It showcases the creativity and energy of the Stryker/Slagle quartet, with the added power and diverse colors of the additional horns and keyboard.

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Track Listing

City of Angels; Nothin' Wrong With It; Self-Portrait In Three Colors; Routes; Ft. Greene Scene; Great Plains; Extensity; Gardena; Lickety Split Lounge.

Personnel

Dave Stryker

guitar

Dave Stryker: guitar; Steve Slagle: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone (2), flute (3, 6); John Clark: French Horn; Billy Drewes: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet (2-3); Clark Gayton: trombone, tuba (3, 6); Bill O'Connell: piano, Fender Rhodes (2, 5-6); Gerald Cannon: bass; McClenty Hunter: drummer.

Album information

Title: Routes | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Strikezone Records

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