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Andrew Swift: Swift Kick

By C. Michael Bailey
April 8, 2012
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Track review of "Understanding"

Drummer Andrew Swift belongs to a new generation of jazz artists that includes trumpeter

Ryan Kisor

trumpet
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Ryan Kisor and multi-instrumentalists

Sharel Cassity

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Sharel Cassity and

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Dease, all of whom join Swift on his debut recording, Swift Kick. These young artists are all well trained and steeped in tradition. However, tradition does not own their collective souls. All compose with a bright edge of intelligence and perform in the same way. This is smart jazz that does not brag or indulge in over composition or arrangement, meaning it is very listenable and enjoyable. Swift is joined on Swift Kick by other jazz luminaries such as trombonist/vocalist

Wycliffe Gordon

trombone
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Wycliffe Gordon, saxophonist

Eric Alexander

saxophone, tenor
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Alexander, pianist

George Cables

piano
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">George Cables, and vocalist Vanessa Perea.

It is with peer pianists

Jeb Patton

piano
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeb Patton, Cassity and Dease that Swift properly gels. On the disc closer, "Understanding"—composed and performed by bassist John Lee—Swift demonstrates his rhythmic sorcery with a tom roll that gains traction on the smooth gravel of Cassity's bass clarinet, Patton's left hand, and

Matthew Garrison

bass, electric
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Matthew Garrison's baritone saxophone, all of which project Lee's complex bass line.

Curtis Stewart

violin

" data-original-title="" title="">Curtis Stewart's violin adds a bit of old world charm to this contemporary jazz piece, finding the triple point between

Jean-Luc Ponty

violin
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Jean-Luc Ponty,

Svend Asmussen

violin
1916 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Svend Asmussen and

Michal Urbaniak

violin

" data-original-title="" title="">Michal Urbaniak. Patton provides a clean and cogent Fender Rhodes solo that eventually makes its way to a Dease solo on the electronic trombone. The two principles, drummer Swift and bassist Lee, guide the song to its crisp coda with certainty and confidence. This is a great bunch of young musicians.

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Track Listing

Kisor The Despiser; The Rio Dawn; Soldier; Slit Drum Interlude; Song For Sherin; Is That So?; Alfie; Baptized With Fire; Brandy; Goodbyes; As The Deer; Understanding.

Personnel

Andrew Swift

drums

Andrew Swift: drums, timpani, electric guitar; Sharel Cassity: soprano saxophone, bass clarinet; Michael Dease: trombone, electric trombone; Tim Mayer: alto flute; Evan Sherman: percussion, gong; John Lee: electric bass, composer; Jeb Patton: Fender Rhodes; Curtis Stewart: violin; Matt Garrison: baritone saxophone; Tony the Hawk: hawk.

Album information

Title: Swift Kick | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: D Clef Records

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