Circumstance
David Smith Quintet | Fresh Sound New Talent - Distr. IRD
Review by Maurizio Zerbo - translation by Maria Gravish
This is an excellent CD that well represents David Smith’s brilliant expression. David is an emerging Canadian jazz trumpet player. His
fragmented and irregular phrasing is at the service of a beautiful warm and round sound, with magnificently balanced solos ranging between
tradition and contemporary, swinging between the rough nervousness of the post-be bop language and the frenetic rhythms of the US
metropolis.
To all this, add non flat writing over conventional solutions, in search of free and open forms instead of, like a big thing today, hiding
comfortably in latin arrangements. An all-around trumpet player that resounds of the best Woody Shaw, here proposes an agile and dynamic
journey, winning rhythmically.
A pianoless formula formed by a wonderfully talented and compacted group focusing their attention on the great energetic propulsive strength
of the rhythm section and with the interesting cross exchanges between the guitar of Nate Radley and the saxophone of the already well
known Seamus Blake.
Then, there are some unexpected “solutions” on both melodic and rhythmic levels (“Soul Eyes”) proudly stated by the leader, whose destiny
is to become one of the best jazz trumpet players of this decade. Just listening to the one solo on the third tune (“Tubicinate”) would be
enough to fall in love with a trumpet having a very well defined personality, always able to impose a determined jump (interval) to the sound.
The original Italian text is here
David Smith Quintet | Fresh Sound New Talent - Distr. IRD
Review by Maurizio Zerbo - translation by Maria Gravish
This is an excellent CD that well represents David Smith’s brilliant expression. David is an emerging Canadian jazz trumpet player. His
fragmented and irregular phrasing is at the service of a beautiful warm and round sound, with magnificently balanced solos ranging between
tradition and contemporary, swinging between the rough nervousness of the post-be bop language and the frenetic rhythms of the US
metropolis.
To all this, add non flat writing over conventional solutions, in search of free and open forms instead of, like a big thing today, hiding
comfortably in latin arrangements. An all-around trumpet player that resounds of the best Woody Shaw, here proposes an agile and dynamic
journey, winning rhythmically.
A pianoless formula formed by a wonderfully talented and compacted group focusing their attention on the great energetic propulsive strength
of the rhythm section and with the interesting cross exchanges between the guitar of Nate Radley and the saxophone of the already well
known Seamus Blake.
Then, there are some unexpected “solutions” on both melodic and rhythmic levels (“Soul Eyes”) proudly stated by the leader, whose destiny
is to become one of the best jazz trumpet players of this decade. Just listening to the one solo on the third tune (“Tubicinate”) would be
enough to fall in love with a trumpet having a very well defined personality, always able to impose a determined jump (interval) to the sound.
The original Italian text is here
All About Jazz Italia, March 2007
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Do you know the young trumpet
player Dave Smith? Originally from
Toronto, Canada, he moved to New
York at the end of the 90’s. Since
then he has been active in the
“underground” scene. He is
constantly participating in sessions,
composing, and playing in a range of
groups from trios to big bands. His
harmonies are sophisticated, his
technique precise permitting him to
use many intervals and a general
musical sense reminiscent of Booker
Little. His first album featuring his
own compositions, “Circumstance”,
has just been released on the Fresh
Sound New Talent label, with Seamus
Blake (tenor), Nate Radley (guitar),
David Ephross (bass) and Mark Ferber
(drums).
player Dave Smith? Originally from
Toronto, Canada, he moved to New
York at the end of the 90’s. Since
then he has been active in the
“underground” scene. He is
constantly participating in sessions,
composing, and playing in a range of
groups from trios to big bands. His
harmonies are sophisticated, his
technique precise permitting him to
use many intervals and a general
musical sense reminiscent of Booker
Little. His first album featuring his
own compositions, “Circumstance”,
has just been released on the Fresh
Sound New Talent label, with Seamus
Blake (tenor), Nate Radley (guitar),
David Ephross (bass) and Mark Ferber
(drums).
Jazzman, March 2007
Jazzflits - March 11, 2007
Translation by Lindy Smith
Translation by Arne Bock
The Modilization (an evolving worldwide process
with, economic, political and cultural integration) of
jazz music, consists of the fact that countless of
young musicians, for a short or longer time, settle
down in New York City. They then often study
with already settled down musicians. Trumpet
player David Smith is a Canadian and lives since
2000 in New York. There he studied for his
Masters of Arts Degree in Jazz Performance at the
Aaron Copeland School of Music. This CD
"Circumstance" is his debut CD. And watch, Smith
shows to have a talented technique and tone, with
which he tastefully opens/attacks his bloody
beautiful compositions. The rest of the group
supports the leader precisely. Tenor saxophone
player Seamus Blake is undisturbed on his way to
the top. Complex riddles, from high to low, keeps
the attention. Good minded cooperation is also
shown from guitar player Nate Radley, bassist
David Ephross and the attentive drummer Mark
Ferber. It is an intriguing CD.
The Modilization (an evolving worldwide process
with, economic, political and cultural integration) of
jazz music, consists of the fact that countless of
young musicians, for a short or longer time, settle
down in New York City. They then often study
with already settled down musicians. Trumpet
player David Smith is a Canadian and lives since
2000 in New York. There he studied for his
Masters of Arts Degree in Jazz Performance at the
Aaron Copeland School of Music. This CD
"Circumstance" is his debut CD. And watch, Smith
shows to have a talented technique and tone, with
which he tastefully opens/attacks his bloody
beautiful compositions. The rest of the group
supports the leader precisely. Tenor saxophone
player Seamus Blake is undisturbed on his way to
the top. Complex riddles, from high to low, keeps
the attention. Good minded cooperation is also
shown from guitar player Nate Radley, bassist
David Ephross and the attentive drummer Mark
Ferber. It is an intriguing CD.
Jazz Hot - June 2007
Translation by Lindy Smith
The enigmatic "Halloween Song"
opens this disc in an original
manner. It can be said that
finally, here is someone who
changes clearly from obligatory
tributes of young trumpet players
to the electricity of Miles Davis
or the straight ahead Freddie
Hubbard.
The atmosphere with the guitar
evokes Billy Bauer, with
momnets a little soft but at the
same time, the drumming ultra
rich and the lines of bass signal
some more contemporary
moods, besides Nate Radley
himelf is more like Abercrombie
and Metheny. In this case it’s
agreeable, Smith (who comes
from Canada but resides today in
New York) plays in a style which
is a cross between Woody Shaw,
Booker Little, Kenny Dorham,
and certainly Dave Douglas. His
serious lyricism meets well with
Seamus Blake who is equally an
expressive musician, but sooner
of the obscure side of jazz.
In this context, a little cold but
poetic is some bebop
(Tubicinate) and some very
beautiful flights of trumpet,
mastered and musical
(Circumstance) are found. There
are even some leanings toward
the waltz and melancholy
(Waiting). With personality a
little secretive, in places
sometimes poignant, sometimes
mournful, constitutes a beautiful
affirmation, which succeeds in
being neither pretentious nor
subdued.
Jean Szalmowicz
The enigmatic "Halloween Song"
opens this disc in an original
manner. It can be said that
finally, here is someone who
changes clearly from obligatory
tributes of young trumpet players
to the electricity of Miles Davis
or the straight ahead Freddie
Hubbard.
The atmosphere with the guitar
evokes Billy Bauer, with
momnets a little soft but at the
same time, the drumming ultra
rich and the lines of bass signal
some more contemporary
moods, besides Nate Radley
himelf is more like Abercrombie
and Metheny. In this case it’s
agreeable, Smith (who comes
from Canada but resides today in
New York) plays in a style which
is a cross between Woody Shaw,
Booker Little, Kenny Dorham,
and certainly Dave Douglas. His
serious lyricism meets well with
Seamus Blake who is equally an
expressive musician, but sooner
of the obscure side of jazz.
In this context, a little cold but
poetic is some bebop
(Tubicinate) and some very
beautiful flights of trumpet,
mastered and musical
(Circumstance) are found. There
are even some leanings toward
the waltz and melancholy
(Waiting). With personality a
little secretive, in places
sometimes poignant, sometimes
mournful, constitutes a beautiful
affirmation, which succeeds in
being neither pretentious nor
subdued.
Jean Szalmowicz