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Paul Kendall: Whisper Not

By Jack Bowers
February 25, 2024
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An organ trio led not by the organist,

Dan Kostelnik

organ, Hammond B3

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Kostelnik, but by tenor saxophonist

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Kendall. Makes no difference, as the music on Whisper Not is delightful, and Kostelnik and Kendall sound like they've been playing together for years instead of for the first time on this impressive studio date, recorded in March 2023.

The trio (

Rudy Petschauer

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Rudy Petschauer is the drummer) break no new ground; they simply embrace a series of popular and jazz standards—along with a pair of Kendall's original compositions—and play them extremely well. The essence is bop, which can be either shopworn or stimulating, depending on one's point of vew and proclivity. Listening to these master hands, the upshot may be to reason, "yes, I've heard most of those songs before, but these renditions are so pleasing that I wouldn't mind hearing more of the same."

As noted, much of the territory is well-traveled, starting with

Benny Golson

saxophone, tenor
1929 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Benny Golson's classic "Whisper Not" and including familiar themes by

Sonny Rollins

saxophone
b.1930

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Rollins,

Clare Fischer

piano
1928 - 2012

" data-original-title="" title="">Clare Fischer,

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis and

Lee Morgan

trumpet
1938 - 1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Lee Morgan, bookending the standards "It's You or No One," "These Foolish Things," "Embraceable You," "Just Friends" and "Speak Low." Kendall weighs in with "Penelope's Peril" (based on "I'll Remember April") and "Quick Drink" (ditto "What Is This Thing Called Love"), each of which is splendid and swings hard.

Kendall plays muscular, straight-ahead tenor, while Kostelnik keeps the Hammond organ mostly in the lower register without ceding spirit or swing. Petschauer solos on several numbers, always with awareness and good taste. Together, they produce the sort of well-ordered sound a jazz trio should, whether on the standards or themes by Rollins ("Airegin"), Fischer ("Pensativa"), Davis ("Nardis") and Morgan ("Ceora").

For those who would welcome more than an hour of well-planned and well-performed bop, Whisper Not should leave a smile on the face and a warm feeling in the heart.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Whisper Not; Airegin; Pensativa; It��s You or No One; These Foolish Things; Embraceable You; Just Friends; Speak Low; Penelope��s Peril; Nardis; Ceora; Quick Drink.

Personnel

Paul Kendall

saxophone, tenor

Dan Kostelnik

organ, Hammond B3

Rudy Petschauer

drums

Album information

Title: Whisper Not | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Zoho Music

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