Brad Dutz - Heat The Grill Cook Loin (1999)

Heat the Grill Cook Loin was Brad Dutz's first release for the Household Ink label. This percussionist from Los Angeles is proficient on both tuned and un-tuned percussion. Actually, there are over 30 percussion instruments heard on this record, but it's not a percussionist album. The star is not Dutz's playing (although he does get to shine) but Dutz's writing. The nine pieces included (there are also three short improvs serving contrasting moments on the CD) are rather serious chamber jazz compositions. The main formation on this disc is a quartet formed of Dutz, John Fumo (trumpet), Kim Richmond (clarinet, flute, alto sax), and Trey Henry (acoustic bass). While these four musicians appear on every track, a few other join in here and there: Jim Hershman (acoustic guitar), Joel Harrison (electric guitar guitar), Clay Jenkins (trumpet), Glen Garrett (bass clarinet,) and none other than saxophonist Vinny Golia for whom Dutz plays in the Vinny Golia Large Ensemble.