In days gone by, the term Jazz Fusion was reserved for those artists, ensembles or albums that broached the gap between jazz and other genres, mostly rock, but in today’s day and age, where Jazz is now a multi-genre idiom in and of itself, the term can be applied to a more varied approach to the genre. Groups that draw influence from across the generations, fusing Swing, Bebop, Post-Bop and Modern Jazz into new and exciting combinations have become the Fusion bands of our day. The Five Play Jazz Quintet is an ensemble that fits tightly into this new moniker, taking the best of old and new school jazz, and everything in between, and coming up with a highly personalized sound this is familiar yet unique at the same time.
Songs such as “Off the Ground” bring to mind the legendary recordings of the Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter groups of the ‘60s, while “The Kiss of the Tenor” has more of a Swing feel, with a touch of Bolero mixed in for good measure. Being able to move between different genres and eras of jazz with the greatest of ease is a skill that many successful modern jazzers possess, and it is one of the reasons that this band will appeal to jazz fans across the board. They are able to reach a broad audience without spreading themselves too thinly, something that is hard to do, but when done the right way often leads to great things in one’s career.
Hear them here: http://www.fiveplayjazz.com/
Review by Matt Warnock
