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Joe La Barbera: World Travelers

By Dave Linn
August 27, 2023
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Drummer Joe La Barbera has an extensive and impressive resume. At the age of 20, he played in the second drum chair for the

Buddy Rich

drums
1917 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy Rich Big Band before driving the 1972 stellar lineup of

Woody Herman

band / ensemble / orchestra
1913 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Woody Herman's Thundering Herd. In 1978, he was offered the prestigious opportunity to be part of the acclaimed (and what turned out to be the final) line-up of the

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans Trio, where he stayed until the pianist's tragic death in 1980. Later, gigs with

Chuck Mangione

flugelhorn
1940 - 2025

" data-original-title="" title="">Chuck Mangione,

Tony Bennett

vocals
1926 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Bennett,

Art Pepper

saxophone, alto
1925 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Pepper and

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Farmer, to name but a few, showcased La Barbera's versatility and ability to play in any style, and to steer and complement whatever the leader's vision called for.

Afterwards he settled in Los Angeles and became an in-demand freelancer. In the '90s he formed his own quintet with local friends, trumpeter

Clay Jenkins

trumpet
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Clay Jenkins, saxophonist

Bob Sheppard

saxophone, tenor
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Sheppard and pianist

Bill Cunliffe

piano
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Cunliffe, all of whom have extensive and impressive resumes as well.. Each had stints in big band settings, offering a great understanding of the subtle importance of a song's arrangement. Bassist

Jonathan Richards

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Jonathan Richards (who replaced founding member

Tom Warrington

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Warrington), by far the youngster in the band, is a great find and fits perfectly. This tight-knit group has been (in between occasional side gigs) mainly active ever since. Their debut release was The Joe La Barbera Quintet Live (Jazz Compass, 1999). World Travelers is the group's fifth release.and their first since Silver Streams (Jazz Compass, 2012).

This live record is the perfect vehicle to showcase the band's abilities, strengths and empathy with each other. Four newer originals open the record. Cunliffe's "Blue Notes" sets the table with the bass and drums setting a groove one can drive a truck (and sometimes a high performance sports car) through. It is a sultry bop piece which has twists and turns leading to some captivating duo leads and solos by the horns. The

Joe Lovano

drums
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Lovano-penned barn-burner "Landmarks Along the Way" also has an unconventional form, hinting at

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane's "Giant Steps." The crowd's response at the song's end says it all.

La Barbera's original "Lake Erie" begins appropriately with a drum solo. Here, he shows in less than two minutes his prodigious ability and impeccable taste. The song then segues into an old-school Blue Note,

Art Blakey

drums
1919 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Blakey-type performance. Pianist

Alan Pasqua

piano
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Alan Pasqua's composition "Barcelona" is a lovely bossa nova. The interplay and harmonies between Sheppard and Jenkins are simpatico. Sheppard shines on a lilting soprano saxophone (he plays tenor saxophone on all other tracks), while Jenkins' solo is beautifully thought out. It is simple, eloquent and lyrical. Richards shows he belongs with these masters during his break. Here and throughout the record, Cunliffe is the glue that holds everything together, while also showing off his impressive soloing skills.

The remaining cuts are five carefully selected songs which are familiar, but not quite standards. Pianist

Duke Pearson

piano
1932 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Pearson's lovely ballad, "You Know I Care" features a sensitive Sheppard, while the other ballad,

Tadd Dameron

piano
1917 - 1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Tadd Dameron's "Soultrane," showcases Jenkins' expressive vocabulary. "Simone" by

Frank Foster

saxophone
1928 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Foster is perhaps the album's best-known piece. It is a minor-key blues waltz which includes a lovely bowed bass solo by Richards and a wonderful solo by Cunliffe reminiscent of

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner.

The remaining two tracks are up-tempo jam fests. "It's a Big, Wide, Wonderful World" was written for a 1940 Broadway musical, while the classic John Coltrane tune, "Grand Central" is the set's closer. The former has a Latin-tinged intro before the familiar melody appears, while the latter stays true to the original. Both tracks allow all the players a chance to blow. Once again, the groove created by La Barbera and Richards is deep and foundational, allowing plenty of room for everyone to explore the compositions, utilizing their unique sensibilities.

The album was recorded live at the Los Angeles club, Sam First. Recently, the owners decided to start their own label and release albums recorded at their venue. Initially, all releases are digital only, followed later by a very Limited Edition (only 200) vinyl option. For example, the digital files for this album were released in February 2023, but the vinyl LP was released in August.

The Joe La Barbera Quintet comprises extraordinary players, but more than that, they are an experienced, well-oiled group where the whole is even greater than the sum of its talented parts. Put them in a live, intimate setting, with a wonderful mix of great originals and covers and the result is the front-runner for live jazz album of the year.

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Track Listing

Blue Notes; Landmarks Along The Way; Lake Erie; Barcelona; You Know I Care; It's A Big Wide Wonderful World; Simone; Soultrane; Grand Central.

Personnel

Joe La Barbera

drums

Bob Sheppard

saxophone, tenor

Clay Jenkins

trumpet

Bill Cunliffe

piano

Jonathan Richards

bass

Album information

Title: World Travelers | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Sam First Records

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