JALEEL SHAW

Optimism

2008-05-08

Jazz to this reviewer is both a discipline and an art form. It can be done horribly wrong or oh-so right. Jaleel Shaw provides a wonderful example of how jazz is done right. He is the real deal. The Philadelphia-based and Grammy nominated alto saxophonist delivers a level of maturity and awareness on his second release as a leader that harkens to his long standing tenure with the Mingus Big Band. The band here reaches back to the archives that defined the genre, with Lage Lund on the guitar, Robert Glasper on the piano, Joe Martin on the bass, Jonathan Blake on percussion and Jeremey Pelt supporting Shaw on the trumpet and flugehorn. Optimism is a deep contribution to jazz. High-points are the opening track, "Flipside," with vague references to Thelonious Monks' "Straight, No Chaser" and the woven tapestry, "The Struggle," with its homage to the soprano sax work of John Coltrane himself. If you like the jazz classics, you'll love this album. -- Daniel Graeber

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Jazz

  • reviewed 04/2014

    Pete Kennedy
    Tone, Twang and Taste

  • reviewed 11/2017

    Galen Weston
    The Space Between

  • reviewed 01/2012

    DENNIS ROLLINS VELOCITY TRIO
    The 11th Gate

  • reviewed 01/2007

    KIM NALLEY
    Need My Sugar

  • reviewed 02/2010

    GALACTIC
    YA-KA-MAY

  • reviewed 02/2008

    THE MATT SAVAGE TRIO
    Hot Ticket

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.