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Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The first two episodes of Bill McKemy’s Nameless and Unremembered podcast are available at streaming services. McKemy, Toni Gates, Lisa Henry and Rich Wheeler consider the lives of the underappreciated regional heroes N. Clark Smith and “Blind” Boone in the discussions.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Kansas City bassist Spencer Reeve.
January is a month of new beginnings. Polite music ill-suited to the turbulent societal and political chaos of four months ago can be properly appreciated with fresh ears. That’s partly why The Standards, Vol. 1, the new album by the Christopher Burnett Quintet, acts as a restorative balm.
Burnett, one of the most industrious figures on Kansas City’s music scene, treats jazz as refined chamber music in his capacities as a saxophonist, bandleader, educator and record label executive. His genteel sensibilities are beautifully showcased on The Standards, Vol. 1.
The core band of Burnett, pianist Roger Wilder, bassist Bill McKemy and drummer Clarence Smith perform five standards and one Burnett composition with seasoned reverence. Even though the quintet and several guest artists maintain a consistently gracious tone, several moments stand out.
An imaginative arrangement breathes new life into “Corcovado.” Stan Kessler’s shimmering trumpet solo elevates “Dolphin Dance.” “Freedom Flight,” a sprightly original Burnett composition, features a sterling guitar solo from Charles Gatschet. Burnett soars throughout.
Burnett’s tactfulness extends the album’s length. At just 39 minutes, the album leaves the appreciative listener wanting more. That’s why the Vol. 1 addendum in the album’s title is an early ray of hope in the new year.