Seamus Blake - Live at Smalls (Live) (2024) [Hi-Res]

The tenor sound of Seamus Blake is always a treat -- and he really stretches out here on a set of long, live tracks with a great group! Most titles go way past the ten minute mark, and the always-inventive Blake manages to make plenty happen with all that time -- working deftly in a group that features piano from David Kikoski, and some great guitar interplay with Lage Lund -- whose tones ring out strongly on the lead of most tracks! Titles include "Fear Of Rooming", "Amuse Bouche", "Consequence", and "Subterfuge".

"This album is in my opinion the best way to hear sax man Seamus Blake in action, live! This album was recorded live in concert at the legendary Greenwich Village jazz club Smalls in NYC. Seamus is featured here alongside his working band of the time.

On guitar is Lage Lund, winner of the Thelonious Monk jazz guitar competition and regular player with Seamus appearing on many of Blake's past releases especially his two most recent albums recorded for the Criss Cross Jazz label Way Out Willy and Bellwether which are both good albums to also check out if you like this one. On drums the fabulous

Bill Stewart who's played with Blake on and off since his debut album "The Call" for Criss Cross in 1991. Bill's one of the premier drummers on the jazz scene in my opinion, his resume reads like the who's who of modern post bop from jazz funk with Maceo Parker and John Scofield to straight ahead with Joe Lovano and many others his playing is not to be missed. On piano is David Kikoski who's in my opinion one of the most under recognized pianists in jazz today. His style can be funky like Herbie Hancock or lush and lyrical like Bill Evans. On bass is Kiwi Matt Chlohesy who's been playing on many albums with Seamus and in groups with trumpeter David Weiss.

The music is all original music composed by Seamus Blake and comes from his past couple studio albums especially Bellwether. The band plays with an intensity and chemistry that only comes from playing together for a long time. The whole group is in top form. My favorite tune would have to be Subterfuge which has a killer solo by Lage Lund and Seamus Blake. If you've heard any of Seamus's music that you liked then you should have no problem getting into this music. Enjoy." (Jonathan Guarriello)

Seamus Blake, tenor saxophone
Lage Lund, guitar
Dave Kikoski, piano
Matt Clohesy, bass
Bill Stewart, drums

Tracklist:
1.01 - Seamus Blake - Subterfuge (Live) (11:16)
1.02 - Seamus Blake - Amuse Bouche (Live) (12:26)
1.03 - Seamus Blake - Consequence (Live) (8:01)
1.04 - Seamus Blake - Stranger in Paradise (Live) (11:06)
1.05 - Seamus Blake - Fear of Rooming (Live) (13:46)