Guitarist Will Brahm has shown a versatility of his instrument that allows him to fit in with muscular big bands led by Gordon Goodwin and Elliot Deutsch as well as working the more supportive role with vocalists Jane Monheit, Sara Gazarek and Gretchen Parlato. His own recent album splits the difference, as his hour set delivering material from his recent album Venture Atlas amply displayed.
The team of Chris Wabich/dr, Diego Alvarez/perc, Ahmet Turkmenoglu/b and Katisse Buckingham/fl-ts were the same guys on the album, and the comfort with the material showed, as lyrical pieces like “Madrid” and “Left You In The Desert” mixed percolating rhythms with Brahm’s richly lyrical guitar work, as his solo lines and chirpy chords formed classy harmonies and themes which conversed with Buckingham’s palatial flight of flute.
Wabich and Alvarez created a street fest of a groove on the joyful and festive “Casita Blanca Del Mar” with Turkemenoglu’s loping bass dancing out a peppy pulse for Brahm’s chiming chords and Buckingham’s fervent and passionate flute. Buckingham’s tenor sax created a warm breeze on the lyrical “Unconditional” which had Brahm creating guitar streams of hope with a Metheny-esque sense of majesty. Wabich then used both his brushes and extra percussion to team with a funky bass line and solo on the soulful Latin “Finding North” before the team got its most assertive on a muscular take of “It’s Alright With Me.” The finale had the whole team pop into overdrive and bear down with a glorious avalanche of energy.
Sonny Rollins once said that an album is an invitation to a show. Judging by the response to the evening’s show, guitarist Will Brahm may have reversed the order.
Upcoming shows at the Blue Whale include Cathy Segal Garcia 04/16, Los Angeles Jazz Quartet 04/19, Chris Dave & The Drumshedz 04/26-27