Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Eric Alexander: Timing Is Everything

Eric Alexander: Timing Is Everything

By Pierre Giroux
June 19, 2024
View read count

Eric Alexander

saxophone, tenor
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Alexander's album Timing Is Everything is an acknowledgment of his mastery of the tenor saxophone, highlighting a combination of power, precision, and profound musicality. Accompanied by pianist

Rick Germanson

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Rick Germanson, bassist

Alexander Claffy

bass
b.1992

" data-original-title="" title="">Alexander Claffy and drummer

Jason Tiemann

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Tiemann along with a handful of special guests, Alexander leads this nine-track outing with a confidence and ease that can only come from deep familiarity with the material and an unspoken rapport with his bandmates.

The opening track is a

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane original "After The Rain." Alexander starts the chart in full Coltrane mode, big, bold, and boisterous, dominating the number. Germanson comes in, covering the keyboard with an unbroken tangle of notes. Each lay down a marker for the remainder of the session. The Jimmy Van Heusen beautiful ballad follows, and Alexander delivers it sleek and insinuatingly. During his solo, Germanson picks up the pace with a stream of lyrical ideas before Alexander repeats the melody as he takes the tune out.

In

Rahsaan Roland Kirk

woodwinds
1935 - 1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Rahsaan Roland Kirk's composition "Serenade To A Cuckoo" the band expands to a sextet with the addition of flutist

Jed Paradies

flute

" data-original-title="" title="">Jed Paradies and guitarist

Rale Micic

guitar
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Rale Micic. Paradies leads off by stating the familiar theme, then joined by Mici, after which they are both given room to roam, playing patterns to build a freshness in the number. Alexander takes part in the interplay with his unfailing tone before Paradies restates the theme as the number plays out.

George Coleman

saxophone, tenor
b.1935

" data-original-title="" title="">George Coleman is another big-tone tenor man who wrote " Big G's Monk." Alexander is joined on the number by tenor saxophonist {[Stan Wetering}} in a hard bop swinger in which they both demonstrate explorative depth and rhythmic propulsion driving the music forward.

The timing of each note and each interaction between the musicians is captured on record with pristine clarity at the iconic Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, by engineer Maureen Sickler. The

Erroll Garner

piano
1921 - 1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Erroll Garner classic composition "Misty" shows perfection in this recording studio. Alexander gives a masterclass with his impeccable phrasing and his ability to traverse the instrument's range with power and control, which is remarkable. Germanson's solo is a highlight displaying a sophisticated sense of swing that adds to the performance.

The title track, "Timing Is Everything," is an Alexander original and a fitting title for both the song and the album. Alexander's tenor is the anchor through the number, keeping pace as Claffy and Tiemann offer a steady pulse and occasional solo flourishes that add colour and complexity. Germanson's piano work is supportive and explorative, providing depth and rhythmic propulsion. The album highlights the ensemble's talents and their exceptional synergy as a group.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

After The Rain; But Beautiful; Serenade To A Cuckoo; Big G's Monk; Sasquatch; Misty; Timing Is Everything; Evergreen; Someone.

Personnel

Eric Alexander

saxophone, tenor

Rick Germanson

piano

Alexander Claffy

bass

Jason Tiemann

drums

Jed Paradies

flute

Rale Micic

guitar

Alma Micic

vocals

Stan Wetering

saxophone, tenor

Album information

Title: Timing Is Everything | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Cellar Music Group

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Tributes
< Previous

The Epicenter Of Your Dreams
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.