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Uptown Jazz Tentet: What's Next

By Jack Bowers
November 20, 2020
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A tentet is a rather strange bird; too large to be labeled a small group, yet too small to be counted as a big band, it resides somewhere near the edges, mapping out its own musical profile. Some may rate that an asset, while others may deem it a mere hybrid, unworthy of their consideration. Wiser auditors, however, most often reserve judgment, preferring to take an impartial stance and allow the music to speak for itself. And that is where this appraisal of the New York-based Uptown Jazz Tentet's second album, What's Next, must begin.

The survey begins on a positive note with co-leader and trombonist

Willie Applewhite

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Willie Applewhite's bright and sassy "Uptown Bass Hit," on which he solos sharply with tenor saxophonist

Jon Irabagon

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Irabagon and bassist

Clovis Nicolas

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Clovis Nicolas. "What's Next," written by a second co-leader, trumpeter

Brandon Lee

trumpet
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Brandon Lee, is no less tasteful and charming, and embodies luminous solos by Lee and pianist

Adam Birnbaum

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Birnbaum. Nicolas' walking bass introduces

Milt Jackson

vibraphone
1923 - 1999

" data-original-title="" title="">Milt Jackson's shuffling "SJK," whose crisp solos are by Burton, Applewhite, alto

Andrew Gutauskas

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Andrew Gutauskas and drummer

Aaron Kimmel

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Aaron Kimmel, although the album jacket incorrectly lists the names and sequence. Every member of the ensemble solos briefly on Lee's ballad, "Change," whose lovely melody is by itself enough to entrance listeners and assure their undivided awareness.

Carl Maraghi

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Carl Maraghi, the group's eloquent, full-throated baritone saxophonist, is showcased with Lee on the latter's bluesy "Bramblin'" (a salute to

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman) and three tracks later has

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter's lovely "Infant Eyes" to himself. Sandwiched between are Applewhite's spirited "Pursue" (solos by Gutauskas on soprano saxophone, and the composer) and the soulful "Mance's Dance," written by the group's second trumpeter,

Tatum Greenblatt

trumpet
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Tatum Greenblatt, as an homage to pianist

Junior Mance

piano
1928 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Junior Mance and featuring his horn with pianist Birnbaum and Gutauskas again, on alto saxophone. Greenblatt and Lee engage in vigorous combat on

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood," which is more breezy than sentimental in trombonist (and third co-leader)

James Burton III

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">James Burton IIIs neat arrangement, wherein he uses mambo rhythms and a vamp to spice things up prior to a rather abrupt ending. The ensemble wraps the session with pianist

Kenny Barron

piano
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Barron's well-knit jazz standard, "Voyage," first recorded by the legendary tenor saxophonist

Stan Getz

saxophone, tenor
1927 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Stan Getz. Ardent solos by Birnbaum, Burton, Irabagon and Kimmel.

While it has been said more than once that size matters, the Uptown Jazz Tentet has cast size aside and into the nearest dumpster on a superlative album whose musical voice is as luminous, expansive and resonant as you are liable to hear from any group, regardless of size.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Uptown Bass Hit; What's Next; SKJ; Change; Bramblin'; Pursue; Mance's Dance; Infant Eyes; In a Sentimental Mood; Voyage.

Personnel

Uptown Jazz Tentet

band / ensemble / orchestra

Brandon Lee

trumpet

Willie Applewhite

trombone

James Burton III

trombone

Tatum Greenblatt

trumpet

Andrew Gutauskas

saxophone, baritone

Jon Irabagon

saxophone

Carl Maraghi

saxophone, baritone

Adam Birnbaum

piano

Clovis Nicolas

bass

Aaron Kimmel

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Brandon Lee: flugelhorn, co-leader; Willie Applewhite: co-leader; James Burton III: bass trombone, co-leader; Tatum Greenblatt: flugelhorn; Andrew Gutauskas: alto sax, soprano sax, flute; Carl Maraghi: clarinet, bass clarinet.

Album information

Title: What's Next | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Irabbagast Records

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