The Joe La Barbera Quintet
Native Land
Jazz Compass

This disc is exhibit "A" in what is wrong about the jazz scene in America. If this release by drummer Joe LaBarbera was recorded in NY by East Coast musicians, it would make headlines in the jazz media. After all, La Barbera was only Bill Evans' most recorded drummer, and a member of his last great trio. All of the supporting cast are essentially So Cal residents, and are grossly overlooked stars in their own right. Trumpeter Clay Jenkins' dark tone is brilliant on the snappy "Everybody's Song But My Own" and the aggressive "Boxer Rebellion." Bob Shepherd is stunning on the woodwinds all throughout the disc, particularly on soprano during the intensely modal "Sixth Sense". La Barbera's section mates of Tom Warrington (bass) and Alan Pasqua (drums) fit together like long-time dance partners. And of course, it goes without saying that LaBarbera is awe inspiring in his ability to combine dexterity, creativity and swing as effortlessly as breathing. His solo excusion on "Manne-risms" is as lyrical as anything Stan Getz could do on a horn. Send this disc to someone on the Least Coast, and let them hear what they're missing.


-George W. Harris