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The Cookers Quintet: The Path

By Paul Beard
September 4, 2022
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The Path is the fourth record to be released by Canadian group The Cookers Quintet and is a collection of eight originals, recorded at the Warehouse, Vancouver, that were first played to live audiences on a West Canadian tour in the fall of 2021, and then put down in the studio.

The album continues the legacy of the hard bop era that dominated the jazz scene in the 1950s and 1960s and is brought to life by tenor saxophonist

Ryan Oliver

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Ryan Oliver along with trumpeter

Tim Hamel

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Hamel and bassist

Alex Coleman

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex Coleman. For this record, they were joined by pianist

Bernie Senensky

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Bernie Senensky, who has performed with some of the greats, including

Art Blakey

drums
1919 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Blakey and the Jazz messengers,

Elvin Jones

drums
1927 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Elvin Jones and

Pharoah Sanders

saxophone, tenor
1940 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Pharoah Sanders. Also joining the crew was drummer

Joe Poole

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Poole, who studied for a degree in Jazz Performance under the guidance of the late great

Oscar Peterson

piano
1925 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Peterson no less.

It is hard to resist tapping one's feet along to the swinging brass, drums, bass and piano that these guys so expertly play. The opener, "Undisputed," sets the scene with a wonderful mix of Hamel's trumpet and Oliver's tenor that leaves one wanting more. "In the Paint" is pacier and the brass instruments combine beautifully, sounding like a larger ensemble; there's a bluesy edge to Senesky's piano at times, too. "Summit" keeps the pace up as the driving tenor sax vocalises with the joyful piano. Poole solos towards the end. But the title track and "Blues Down the Stairs" are more relaxed, though no less captivating.

The pace is picked up once more by "Pockets," before another slow gem, "Canyon." The album concludes with the superb "Don't Look Now," and once more to The Cookers' take on hard bop rings out strongly. Overall, this is an enjoyable album that reflects on the past but has its feet in the present.

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Track Listing

Undisputed; In The Paint; Summit; The Path; Blues Down The Stairs; Pockets; Canyon; Don't Look Now

Personnel

Ryan Oliver

saxophone, tenor

Tim Hamel

trumpet

Alex Coleman

bass

Joe Poole

drums

Bernie Senensky

piano

Album information

Title: The Path | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Do Right Music

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