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Randal Despommier: South

By Dan Bilawsky
March 6, 2025
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Growing up in Metairie, Louisiana—a mere six miles from New Orleans—alto saxophonist

Randal Despommier

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Randal Despommier's formative experiences were rooted in the Crescent City's fertile sonic soil. A stone's throw away from the action, he was able to cut his teeth on the local scene(s) and put his horn to good use in Mardi Gras parades. In addition, and in some of those instances, he learned a great deal by watching and musically interacting with his father, Phil Despommier—a pupil of NOLA drumming legend

James Black

drums
1940 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">James Black and a pillar in the area, performing regularly with the Nat Krasnoff Trio and the band South.

In pursuit of broad knowledge, this altoist would eventually leave that locale, studying sacred music in Italy, earning a doctorate at the New England Conservatory of Music and settling in New York. But that departure and distance took nothing away from his fondness for home. New Orleans is inextricably linked to Randal Despommier's sound and sense of self, and he pays due respect with this highly agreeable appreciation.

In April of 2024, Despommier joined forces with NOLA rhythm royalty—pianist

David Torkanowsky

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">David Torkanowsky, bassist

James Singleton

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">James Singleton and drummer

Johnny Vidacovich

drums
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnny Vidacovich—and he laid down a handful of tracks tied to the tradition and his background. "Go to the Mardi Gras"—Professor Longhair's eternal party piece—sets the album in motion and lets the good times roll. The leader's arrangement of

Allen Toussaint

piano and vocals
1938 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Allen Toussaint's "Southern Nights" provides some additions and tasteful recoloring while maintaining the model's breezy sensibilities. Original "Jelly Roll's Living Room," featuring Torkanowsky's masterful playing, is steeped in its namesake's blues language. Texan

Edgar Winter

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Edgar Winter's "Dying to Live"—a part of South's rich repertoire back in the day—comes as a welcome surprise, with soulful bearing and all. And father and son unite, with Vidacovich ceding the drum throne to the elder Despommier on the album-closing "Just a Closer Walk with Thee."

The remainder of the playlist—four tracks interspersed between the aforementioned material—was recorded in Brooklyn with a band of peers including pianist

Jason Yeager

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Yeager, bassist

Aaron Holthus

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Aaron Holthus and drummer

Rodrigo Recabarren

drums
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Rodrigo Recabarren. But the change in city, venue and band didn't alter the overall chemistry in the air. Both sessions prove compatible and complementary. Together, the New York crew lightly waltzes through a contemplative "'Round 3 AM (A Blues Nocturne)" before exiting in a state of suspense; tips a collective hat toward

Sidney Bechet

saxophone, soprano
1897 - 1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Sidney Bechet with an ambling, sinuous "Si tu vois ma m��re"; delivers

Charles Mingus

bass, acoustic
1922 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Mingus' classic

Lester Young

saxophone
1909 - 1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Lester Young tribute—"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat"—as a deep-hued design; and ruminates on shades of indigo on "Blues Rheumatica." A sincerely felt musical homecoming, South is remarkably satisfying from every angle.

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Track Listing

Go to the Mardi Gras; Southern Nights; 'Round 3AM (A Blues Nocturne); Si tu vois ma m��re; Jelly Roll's Living Room; Goodbye Pork Pie Hat; Dying to Live; Blues Rheumatica; Just a Closer Walk with Thee.

Personnel

Randal Despommier

saxophone

Jason Yeager

piano

David Torkanowsky

keyboards

Aaron Holthus

bass

James Singleton

bass, acoustic

Rodrigo Recabarren

drums

Johnny Vidacovich

drums

Phil Despommier

drums

Album information

Title: South | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records

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