Skip Grasso - Becoming (2023)

The skilled Baltimore-based jazz guitarist Skip Grasso releases his first album as the sole leader.

Joined by a notable trio, Grasso debuts eight of his compositions which range from swinging explorations to wistful ballads.

Skip Grasso is a preeminent guitarist in the Mid-Atlantic region where his playing has been heard in a wide variety of settings, ranging from unaccompanied solos and jazz combos to big bands.

Becoming is his recording debut as a leader, featuring Grasso as both a soloist and a composer. He introduces eight diverse originals and is joined by Anthony Pocetti on piano, organ and electric piano, bassist Harvie S, and drummer Billy Drummond.

The opening selection, “Belew’s Knot,” is a strong introduction to the quartet. It starts out as an out-of-tempo ballad with the lead shared by guitar and piano, and then at a medium tempo all four musicians have an opportunity to individually shine.

Throughout Becoming, Skip Grasso displays his ability to write heartfelt ballads. “Harvie Livingston Seagull” is an atmospheric and cinematic piece that, while quietly adventurous, is also relaxing. “Three Simple Truths,” which has Pocetti on organ, is quite haunting. “Don’t Forget” serves as a change of pace, utilizing a samba rhythm, featuring some fast guitar lines, and having a guitar-organ tradeoff over chord changes worthy of John Coltrane. “Canto Belo” finds Grasso back in a thoughtful mood during a slow ballad that features a fine spot for Harvie S. The medium-tempo “Garry On A Bike Ride” is most notable for the interplay between guitar and piano with Pocetti taking a particularly heated and inventive solo. Becoming concludes with the upbeat “For Lou Lou, Where Ever You Are” and the cooking “Spring Forward,” wrapping up a particularly satisfying debut.

Skip Grasso earned a Masters of Music from the University of North Texas, has inspired others as an adjunct professor at Mount Saint Mary’s University, and teaches privately. He has authored two published books of guitar transcriptions (Vital Blues Guitar: Freddie King and Vital Blues Guitar: Gatemouth Brown). Among his prior recordings are the Don Junker Big Band’s Junkyard Dog, the Hank Levy Alumni Band’s An Odd-Time Was Had By All, and a quintet project by the Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble that he co-led with bassist Phil Ravita, Jagged Spaces.

Becoming features Skip Grasso stepping out as a leader and showing great talent as both a guitarist and a songwriter.