Brian Smith: Taupo (Manu/Ode)

 |   |  <1 min read

Brian Smith: Kids At Play
Brian Smith: Taupo (Manu/Ode)

Most New Zealand jazz is like the Kiwi: endangered, pokes around in the dark away from public gaze and doesn't take flight.

This year however is shaping up to be a good one: albums by Wellingtonians Kevin Clark and Charmaine Ford are both worth serious attention, and now a long overdue new album from Auckland saxophonist Brian Smith.

Smith recorded one of my favourite local jazz albums, his self-titled release of 1986.

In the two decades since them Smith has continued to play, did the Moonlight Sax thing (and whatever you make of that MOR album you have to concede Smith did it well) and now this which sees him firing hard in places (the coiling and exciting opener) or pulling right back (the restful Moon and Sand).

With the likes of pianist Kevin Field, bassist Kevin Haines, trumpeter Kim Paterson, guitarist Lance Sua, bassist Billy Kristian and drummer Alain Koetsier on hand this is an album of great depth and experience, all of which is underplayed in the service of the compositions which include Smith originals alongside material by Charlie Parker (Perhaps), Gershwin (Soon) and others.

The band also gets looser on the free improv Big Kids At Play.

Yes, this is looking like a very good year in local jazz.

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   Jazz at Elsewhere articles index

Kim Paterson, Alex Ventling: Conversations (Thick/digital outlets)

Kim Paterson, Alex Ventling: Conversations (Thick/digital outlets)

More than a decade ago when reviewing trumpeter/flugel player Kim Paterson's album The Duende we noted that for someone who has been so important in New Zealand jazz he was sorely under-represented... > Read more

Marc Johnson, Elaine Elias: Swept Away (ECM/Ode)

Marc Johnson, Elaine Elias: Swept Away (ECM/Ode)

Longtime followers of the ECM label will register that this one ticks any number of the right boxes: the line-up of pianist Elaine Elias, bassist Marc Johnson, drummer Joey Baron (a working trio in... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

Moroccan Roast Beef inna barbecue style

Moroccan Roast Beef inna barbecue style

If you don't have a barbecue with a lid you might want to do this one in the oven, but there is nothing quite like the steamy aroma of the Moroccan flavours when you open the lid to check on this... > Read more

The Who: My Generation

The Who: My Generation

In a classic cover -- bassist John Entwistle sporting the famous Pop Art-referencing "Union Jacket" -- the Who's debut album of '65 captured the youthful energy, anger, self-doubt and... > Read more