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Jason Keiser: Shaw's Groove

By Jack Bowers
May 24, 2023
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The "Shaw" in guitarist

Jason Keiser

guitar
b.1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Keiser's album Shaw's Groove is the late great

" data-original-title="" title="">Woody Shaw, one of the more innovative and influential jazz trumpeters of the twentieth century. Even though he lived only forty-four years (he died in May 1989), Shaw was an important role model whose sweeping influence remains strong to this day, both as a player and composer.

The first four songs on Shaw's Groove were written by Shaw himself, among the many he composed while performing and recording with such luminaries as

Willie Bobo

percussion
1934 - 1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Willie Bobo,

Eric Dolphy

woodwinds
1928 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Dolphy,

Bud Powell

piano
1924 - 1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Bud Powell,

Johnny Griffin

saxophone, tenor
1928 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnny Griffin,

Dexter Gordon

saxophone, tenor
1923 - 1990

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

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver,

Jackie McLean

saxophone, alto
1932 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Jackie McLean,

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea,

Booker Ervin

saxophone, tenor
1930 - 1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Booker Ervin,

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock,

Bobby Hutcherson

vibraphone
1941 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Hutcherson,

Art Blakey

drums
1919 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Blakey,

George Cables

piano
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">George Cables and many others. Played back-to-back, they prove that Shaw's writing was almost as admirable as his playing.

To undertake this earnest tribute, Keiser employs a sextet with a slightly unusual lineup: trumpet (of course), baritone sax, bass, drums and two guitars (Keiser and

John Stowell

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">John Stowell).

Erik Jekabson

trumpet
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Erik Jekabson sits in for Shaw, baritone

Aaron Lington

saxophone, baritone
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Aaron Lington shares the front line, and bassist

Dan Robbins

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Robbins and drummer

Jason Lewis

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Lewis keep the rhythm on course. As for Keiser and Stowell, they parcel out both melodic and rhythmic assignments. To unschooled musical ears, there are only two ways to play guitar: the right way and the wrong way (those who have been exposed to rock, heavy metal and the like will no doubt grasp the allusion). Keiser and Stowell have chosen the right way.

Keiser has also chosen several of Shaw's better tunes: "Organ Grinder," "Zoltan," "The Moontrane" and "Katerina Ballerina" (the last of which brings to mind the Gershwin brothers' "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess) to open the session, preceding Shaw and

Ronnie Mathews

piano
1935 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Ronnie Mathews' breezy "Blues for Woody,"

Larry Young

organ, Hammond B3
1940 - 1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Young's ill-defined "Obsequious," Matthews' ethereal waltz, "Jean Marie," and Keiser's strangely ponderous "Shaw's Groove." Each of them is respectable; Shaw's themes are simply more engaging.

What we have is an album that starts in high gear (Shaw), then stumbles on its stratagems (everything else). While everyone plays well enough and is no doubt committed to the enterprise, in the end Shaw's Groove is a step or so less engaging than it might have been. Worth a listen, though, if only for Shaw's admirable compositions.

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Track Listing

Organ Grinder; Zoltan; The Moontrane; Katerina Ballerina; Blues for Woody; Obsequious; Jean Marie; Shaw's Groove.

Personnel

Jason Keiser

guitar

John Stowell

guitar, electric

Erik Jekabson

trumpet

Aaron Lington

saxophone, baritone

Dan Robbins

bass

Jason Lewis

drums

Album information

Title: Shaw's Groove | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: OA2 Records

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