By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Saucy
As jazz has progressed over
the years, the use of guitar has changed significantly. Initially, melodic
melody lines most often were done at slow tempos, in concert or ballads. A
“strumming” technique was used for faster arrangements because, at the time,
the facility of the musicians — and the design of the instruments — didn’t
allow for high-speed single-string techniques. The guitar was used more as
a part of the rhythm section, rather than as a solo “horn,” and when solo
passages were taken, the multi-string
style predominated.
But that hasn’t been the
case for years.
Tom Dempsey is one of today’s
elite single-string artists. He has played with numerous top-drawer groups
and musicians and, like so many of them, he spends more time teaching than
performing. He has taught at Lincoln Center, LaGuardia Community College,
SUNY New Paltz, Rutgers University and the National Guitar Workshop.
Dempsey’s trio here is
relatively unique; he’s backed by Ron Oswanski on organ, and Alvin Atkinson on
drums. During his earlier years, Dempsey often worked at New York City clubs
that used Hammond B3 organ groups, and he loved the sound of the guitar/organ
combo. You’ll appreciate it as well, while listening to this album. The
delicate touch that Oswanski achieves never overwhelms Dempsey’s guitar,
instead filling in the musical “nooks and crannies” in the various
arrangements.
Dempsey composed half of these
10 compositions; the rest are by other artists. “Bock to Bock” is a Buddy Montgomery tune; “Bridge Over Troubled Water”
comes from Paul Simon; Lee Morgan composed “Ceora”; Bobby Sherwood wrote “My Secret Love”; and “One Hundred Ways” comes
from Coleman/Wakefield/Wright. The entire menu is choice, and everything
swings lightly and politely.
I’ve always
enjoyed great guitar, and I’m sure you’ll love this album.
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