LEIGH PILZER — Strunkin’ (review)

Live album · 2016 · Hard Bop

4.5/5 · 2017-05-04
Carmel

Robust tonality, and clearly articulated lines are what you can expect from this baritone horn player. Though this is Pilzer’s debut offering, it is a long awaited one. A regular member of the DIVA Jazz Orchestra and a member of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, and Shannon Gunn and the Bullettes. Pilzer has already enjoyed countless performances and touring opportunities with SJMO, DIVA, and the National Symphony Orchestra, she has toured across the United States and in Austria, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Holland, and Russia. She also freelances with a variety of ensembles in the mid-Atlantic region.

Her debut album Strunkin’ is a wonderful collection of straight-ahead originals that swing with a deep rooted historical understanding of the tradition. Each player is a centered and focused player in their own right, but together, they exhibit and unit prowess that locks very tightly.

The title track begins with a harmonized melody between bari, trombone and arco bass, creating an immediate signal to the listener they are in for a be-bop journey. Pilzer uses her entire horn range with ease and digs deep into the low notes as Sherrie Maricle swings hard, and Jackie Warren comps with well-placed ideas to create a fabric that weaves nicely with bassist Amy Shook. If you are sitting still at this point, please check your pulse, you might need to be revived. Krupa weighs in with an inspired solo, dipping and loping with curvatures and command, then weighing in with quick witted lines, searing and soaring.

“Brag Time,” offers a slinky ala Fever type groove – it is sensuous and seductive and the group sells it nicely. On this tune, Maricle’s drumming is in full display; and you are quickly treated to why she is such a lauded drummer. Warren is front and center on this one, and her fingers glide across the keys not only with nimble agility, but with soul for miles. Trombonist, Jen Krupa offers up a saucy muted solo, honestly equal, if not better than many of her male counterparts in the industry.

Another highlight is “Duel at Dawn.” A contrafact of Donna Lee, which begins with Maricle swinging the brushes and joined by Krupa, eloquently improvising, then joined by the solid bass playing of Shook, who swings like a timeclock with soulfulness. Pilzer creates counterpoint lines to Krupa, then an answer and call type approach, landing into a harmonized melody. Pilzer is a generous leader, each tune is about the tune itself, she gives each musician their highlight depending on the tune. Truly it’s about the group sound and the overall success of the tune that is at stake here. This tune features an almost Nawlins vibe as the it progresses; joyful, fun and filled with many wild adventures.

One point I kept forgetting was, this is a live recording, the sound was outstanding and it reminded me how amazing these players really are. Can I say it - basically this album is a live clam-less recording, these ladies are tight and on the mark. The chemistry is unmatched and the audience response shows it. Hot damn, well done ladies this offering is smoking.