By: Edward Blanco
Originally from Birmingham, Alabama and influenced by the southern tradition of blues, gospel and jazz, tenor saxophonist and composer Sean Nowell unleashes his second project for the Posi-Tone Records with a command performance in a fiery passion-filled eight-piece barn-burner of a recording with “The Seeker.” Playing with the sophistication of a John Coltrane and the grace of a Lee Konitz, Nowell unfurls the sax for intense tenor work dominating the band and delivering an excellent session of straight ahead contemporary jazz elevating “The Seeker” to an elite category.
Recording with a sextet of young and hungry players who prove their mettle here, Nowell is joined once again by pianist Art Hirahara and drummer Joe Abbatantuono who performed on his first Posi-Tone CD “Firewerks.” Rounding out the rhythm section are bassist Thomson Kneeland, guitarist Nir Felder and Dave Eggar performing on cello. The result of course is a terrific spacious sound produced by a small and tight ense mble that sound like they’ve been together for more than one recording.
The music opens up with an energetic bursts from Nowell’s tenor announcing an electrifying vibrant ride on his original “New York Vibe,” where the saxophonist goes off on a torrid tare of a solo leading the band over a lively landscape of hard-bop. Pianist Hirahara follows the leader with an enticing performance of his own on the lively opener. Nowell changes direction on the Raye/DePaul standard “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” as he tones it down and drives a softer tone here respecting the melody for its heartfelt mood.
Nowell mixes a bit of the World music sound with a taste of the Middle Eastern/Jewish sound on the interesting “Oy Matze Matze” then gently returns to a more traditional approach on the cushy ballad-like “Dunavski Park” delivering another exquisite tenor phrasing. The program ends with a somber read to the Lennon/McCartney tune “I Will,” where the drummer’s cymbal accents and cellist Eggar come to the forefront with their play and by contrast putting a very fine exclamation point on one of the most up beat and rapid-paced renditions to the Schertzinger/Johnny Mercer classic “I Remember You” one will20ever hear.
Year: 2009
Label: Posi-Tone Records
Artist Web: www.seannowell.com