Neil Swainson - Here For A While (2024) [Hi-Res]

The title of this latest release from bassist Neil Swainson is fitting: HERE FOR A WHILE.
Amen to that. At 68, he’s had not just a long career, but a most distinguished and impactful one. In Canada and internationally, a world-class musician.

I would point out several things to those who might be wondering why this is only Neil’s third recording as a leader: Jazz, especially in Canada, is a tough room, and as a highly sought after bassist/sideman, Neil has been just a little busy over the last 45 or so years since moving to Toronto from his native Victoria. You know, playing with virtually everybody in Canada as well as touring with international artists such as Woody Shaw, George Shearing and Roberta Gambarini, to name a few.

There’s no substitute for the years of experience which have seasoned Neil’s musicianship, and one can feel the depth of that throughout this record: in his bass playing, which is superb as always, and in his skills as a composer and leader. As with 49th Parallel and Fire in the West, all of the music here is composed and arranged by Neil. This is especially impressive given both the variety and intricacy of the program. This is not simple, throw-away music or a case of playing originals for the sake of playing originals. This is the real thing. It’s music that is thoroughly contemporary, with a strong link to jazz traditions.

Swainson has assembled a crackerjack band to play his music, with ‘band’ being the operative word. The interplay and cohesion they achieve is one of the pleasures of this record. In keeping with Neil’s global scope, the members come from both sides of the border. On trumpet and flugelhorn, Brad Turner, a staple of the Vancouver scene; on tenor and soprano saxophone, Kelly Jefferson, Saskatchewan born, now active in Toronto; Massachusetts-born Steve Davis, a major trombone voice for three decades; pianist Renee Rosnes, a “Camerican” who needs no introduction; and Quincy Davis on drums, who hails from Michigan, and now teaches at North Texas State University. Turner, Jefferson and Rosnes are holdovers from Neil’s previous record, which partially accounts for how tightly-knit this band is, though both Davises fit in effortlessly.

I’ve no wish to spoil the surprises for the prospective listener, so my comments on the tracks will be general and brief, focusing on a few highlights I enjoyed.

Neil Swainson - bass
Renee Rosnes - piano
Quincy Davis - drums
Steve Davis - trombone
Kelly Jefferson - tenor and soprano saxophone
Brad Turner - trumpet and flugelhorn