Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hometown , by Jared Hall , and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Hometown , Jared Hall on trumpet and Troy Roberts on tenor sax create the melody, joined by Ben Markley on piano, Michael Glynn on bass and Kyle Swan on drums. Hall takes the first opportunity to explore and creates solid, intuitive melodic statements, punctuated by Markley. Roberts' solo is much more sensual and soulful giving the track a nice balance. Bobby Hutcherson's Little B's Poem has a flowing melody in 3/4 time. Hall and Roberts together create the melody before handing off to Glynn who lays down a real nice solo. I really like Roberts' work on this track stretching the melody and a pickup in rhythm by Swan. Monk's Ask Me Now is my favorite track on the release with clean phrasing by Hall, and warm harmonies by Roberts. Markley's solo on this track double times really brightening up the feel and giving it a real ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Influences , by Jared Hall and it's really solid. Opening with Song For Shaw , influenced by the sounds of Woody Shaw is really hot with a percussive attack by Jared Hall on trumpet paired with John Bishop on drums. Rolling into a terrific groove framed by Michael Glynn on bass and Tal Cohen on piano, Hall really sets the pace with crisp, open-bell attack, Cohen taking his lead plays with exceptional vibrancy, and Bishop adds excellent accent. Glynn gets a turn and lays down a a strong bass solo followed by the vibrant drumming by Bishop.  Powerful opener. Quiet ballad, Dear Roy , a tribute to Roy Hargrove, has a rich melody with Hall leading the way. Cohen picks up on piano with an introspective feel, then back to Hall who carries the melody to the end with lush support of Cohen, Glynn and Bishop. Very nice. Let The Children Dance has a real nice Latin under beat structured by Glynn and Bishop. Hall blows a tigh...