Brad Turner Quintet- The Magnificent – An apt title…
Brad Turner Quintet – The Magnificent – Cellar Live Records #CMO11523 – 62:45 – ****
(Brad Turner – trumpet & piano; Cory Weeds – tenor saxophone – Peter Bernstein – guitar; Neil Swainson – bass; Quincy Davis – drums)
Multiple Juno award winner, trumpeter, Brad Turner, is back with his third CD release for Cellar Live Music. With nine original compositions, Turner’s quintet includes ace guitarist, New York based, Peter Bernstein. Label founder, Cory Weeds adds his in-the-groove tenor sax to four tracks, and the ensemble blend channels a prime 60s Blue Note vibe. Completing the group is Vancouver B.C. based bassist Neil Swainson, and drummer, Quincy Davis, from Texas.
Turner lends his talents on piano here as well, as evidenced on “Bernice,” where the horns sit out. Peter Bernstein comps, before adding his own solo. “The Magnificent” is a tribute to trumpet great, Thad Jones, who had a 1956 Blue Note title of the same name. Both this title track, as well as “Rosemary,” were recorded live (the night before the studio session) in mid-January, 2023, at Frankie’s Jazz Club in Vancouver. The quintet’s energy level on the live tracks was likely generated by the appreciative audience. Drummer, Quincy Davis, is a powerful force on “Rosemary,” the closing track.
Other winning numbers include “To Begin, Begin,” where Neil Swainson’s bass prowess is on full display, and the sublime opening ballad, where Brad, Neil, and Peter each solo. Turner wrote “Theme for Josie,” for his partner, and fellow trumpeter, Jocelyn Waugh. His trumpet skills shine throughout this track.
The big question throughout this exemplary release is why Brad Turner has not broken out on the US jazz scene. Canada’s trumpet treasure should be shared more with American jazz audiences. Thanks go out to Cory Weeds for bringing us his talents again. Here in the US, we’ll eagerly await his next Cellar Live Music release.
—Jeff Krow
Brad Turner Quintet – The Magnificent
Tracklist:
You’re OK
Barney’s Castle
Slapped My Mind
Virtue Signals
To Begin, Begin
Bernice
The Magnificent
Theme for Jocie
Rosemary
More information through Cellar Live
