Manuel Valera
Currents
Maxjazz Records
www.maxxjazz.com

Jeb Patton
New Strides
Maxjazz Records
www.maxjazz.com
By George W. Harris

Maxjazz Records has a clever idea of putting out releases based on a
specific concept; these two discs by younger artists Valera and Patton
are under the title “Piano Series,” and show an impressive respect for
the jazz tradition while edging forward in a fresh direction.

Son of the Manuel Valera who is known for his sax work with D’Rivera,
Valdes, Puente and Rubalcaba, Valera himself has been the sideman for
Richard Bona, Vincent Herring and Donny McCaslin before putting out
this debut for Maxjazz. It’s an impressive trio outing with bassist
James Genus and drummer Ernesto Simpson, which consists of standards as
well as a handful of some catchy and intricate originals. Valera’s
touch is confident and percussive with some lyrical yet peppy readings
of “How Deep Is The Ocean” and Monk’s “We See.” His own “Balada Para
Isabel” and “Currents” include some thoughtful moments, and the rhythm
section sounds like they’ve played together for quite some time along
the trickier interludes, as on “Ode To Kenny.” Full bodied work in the
trio tradition and beyond.

Jeb Patton has been the pianist with the Heath Brothers for quite some
time, and it shows on this fresh and swinging affair that includes the
remaining duo of Albert “Tootie” Heath for three tunes, and a gorgeous
duet with Jimmy Heath on soprano on “Last Night When We Were Young.”
Dave Wong/b and Pete Van Nostrand/dr team up with some classic boppish
work on an uptempo “My Ideal” and richly evocative “Estate.” Patton’s
own compositions “Sir Roland” and “Street Song” include Tootie on drums
and have an attractive spark and sizzle. Recommended, as is anything
that includes the justly respected Heath Brothers.