Geof Bradfield Quintet - Quaver (2023) [Hi-Res]

Quaver, the latest offering from saxophonist/composer Geof Bradfield and his seasoned quintet, opens with Green Mill owner Dave Jemilo’s unmistakable Chicago accent, transporting you to that storied Uptown establishment. The crowd roars with an enthusiasm amplified by months of pandemic isolation as the quintet launches into “Deep Ellum,” a gritty, modernistic tribute to a legendary Dallas, TX blues and jazz scene. Bassist Clark Sommers and guitarist Scott Hesse lock into a visceral, earthy groove with drummer Dana Hall’s handclaps and body percussion. Trumpeter Russ Johnson demonstrates his mastery of the plunger mute, setting the stage for equally compelling solo statements from Hesse and Bradfield. Always a compositional thinker, Hall brings the body percussion back to bookend the performance.

Quaver documents the quintet’s first live performance (tracks 1-4) and studio recording session (tracks 5-8) since November 2019, when they spent two weeks as artists-in-residence at the Guimaraes, Portugal Jazz Festival. As for so many artists, COVID-19 scuttled all plans for 2020 and much of 2021. “I wasn’t sure how it would feel to return to the music nearly two years later, but just in case we could pick up anywhere near where we left off — a place I was very happy with — I asked Ken Christianson to record that weekend at the Mill," says Bradfield. “Much to my surprise, everything had somehow risen to a new level; our connection as a band felt deeper, more urgent and meaningful after our forced hiatus.” The twenty-five year musical relationship between Bradfield, Sommers and Hall no doubt had significant impact on this; the three can be heard together in numerous other configurations including Sommers’ trio Ba(SH) and Hall’s quartet spring. “For years we had such a strong intuitive hookup as a trio that it was challenging to add someone to the mix without changing the chemistry entirely. Then we played one gig with Scott Hesse, and it was like he was always there- he and Dana speak the same rhythmic language, and Scott is inside my head harmonically,” comments Bradfield. “And I knew and loved Russ Johnson’s playing from our days in NYC, but we never played together until he moved to Wisconsin several years ago.” They’ve made up for lost time since, performing in many groups led by Hall, Sommers, Ethan Philion, Matt Ulery and others. “From the first notes it was such a perfect, effortless fit in terms of phrasing, sound, and conception. Nightly performances in Guimarães really gave us a chance to explore and refine that.”

“Quaver” and “Não Faz Mal” offer some indication of the quintet’s range of expression. The former begins with Hall playing all kinds of time, shapes and colors around Sommers’ rock-solid bass line. The horns spin out the slippery melody in tight unison and then the group suddenly pivots as Hesse sets up a sharply contrasting interlude. Bradfield’s muscular, probing solo showcases the elastic rhythmic conception he, Sommers and Hall have honed over the years, paving the way for equally intrepid statements from Hesse and Johnson. On “Não Faz Mal,” (Portuguese for “no worries”) the more delicate side of the quintet is on display. “The audience was so quiet we could play at a whisper, really explore that softer palette” says Bradfield. Johnson and Bradfield take full advantage of this as does Hall, who puts his sticks aside for hands on much of the take.

Bradfield’s “Plucky,” a nod to Monk with undertones of Herbie Nichols, kicks off the studio “B side” of Quaver. Sommers’ warm-toned solo evinces remarkable focus, organically developing the melodic and rhythmic motives of the composition as Hall and Hesse provide landmarks along the way. “5 in 3” follows, a haunting waltz that builds to Hesse’s fiery, virtuosic guitar solo. The album closes with “Solid Jackson,” dedicated to Bradfield’s and Sommers’ mentor Charlie Haden. Hall’s call and response with the melody gives way to a rapid-fire exchange between Johnson and Bradfield. Hesse steps in with one of the most surprising moments on the album; Hall and Sommers are with him in less than a heartbeat. Sommers ties it all together with his final bass solo, and the quintet brings us back home to conclude the joyful ride of Quaver.

Geof Bradfield-tenor saxophone
Russ Johnson-trumpet
Scott Hesse-guitar
Clark Sommers-acoustic bass
Dana Hall-drums and cymbals