By Ric Bang
Buy CD: No Restrictions
You can count the female jazz
acoustic bassists on the fingers of one hand. Many ladies are proficient on
the electric instrument, particularly in the rock world, but in the last few
years only Esperanza Spalding and Iris Ornig stand out on the upright. The
former, also a vocalist, has received all kinds of coverage. Ornig isn’t as
well known, but — for my taste — is a better instrumentalist.
She was born in Germany and
studied music in Switzerland and England, before moving to New York City in
2003. She’s a composer, arranger and leader as well as an excellent
bassist; she performs regularly in New York City’s many jazz venues.
No Restrictions,
her second album, features an instrumentation format which — by today’s
standards — is unique; she uses a full rhythm section (piano, bass, drums and guitar), while the customary sax
is replaced by a trumpet, played by Michael Rodriguez. He’s one of the best
on his instrument that I’ve encountered in some time; his melodic lines are
extremely tasteful, and his tone is to die for. Kurt Rosenwinkel’s guitar adds
tremendously to the aforementioned rhythm section, which also includes the
excellent Helen Sung (piano), Marcus Gilmore (drums) and Ornig (acoustic bass).
This is a really smooth
group, which plays what I’d describe as “afternoon jazz.” Several years ago,
the city of Portland, Oregon, sponsored a series of summer concerts that took
place in a City Center Park every Thursday; the events were called “P-Nut Butter and Jazz.”
Folks would gather during the lunch hour and
listen to performances by various local artists, and everyone had a ball. The
groups were quite talented, and the event gave listeners a happy buzz.
Ornig’s combo reminds me of
the music that came out of those concerts: relaxing and restful, yet
spirited. Eight of these 10 tracks are composed and arranged by Ornig; the
other two are covers of Bjork’s “Venus as a Boy” and Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.” It
all swings politely, and the latter track establishes a sleek, traditional-jazz
groove, which showcases Ornig’s bass chops at their best.
This is a
promising quintet, offering excellent artists and content.
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