Kevin Golden Trio - Pelham Parkway (2016)

A talented straight ahead guitarist, Kevin Golden has been performing in the New York area for nearly three decades. Pelham Parkway, which features seven of his original tunes, is his debut as a leader.

For this project, the guitarist teams up with organist Akiko Tsuruga (who has worked with Lou Donaldson, Eric Alexander and Frank Wess) and drummer Peter Grant, whose history includes associations with Gerry Mulligan, Peggy Lee and the New York Voices. Golden’s music features the classic organ trio performing swinging and forward-looking hard bop pieces.

The opener, “Market Square,” utilizes the chord changes of a swing standard that was the theme song of a famous trombonist bandleader. It has been given a downward but cheerful melody that inspires inventive solos by Golden and Tsuruga along with a brief tradeoff with Grant. “Let’s Do This” is a minor-toned swinger that works particularly well with this group. “JJ’s Smove Groove” is a blues in a minor key that really grooves.

“Pelham Parkway” has Golden improvising some speedy guitar lines over the cooking rhythm section. “Where Are They Now” is a harmonically advanced ballad that is given a thoughtful and heartfelt statement from the guitarist. “Let’s Make The Time” has a melody that is so singable that lyrics should be written for it someday. The closer, “Cherry Pie,” finds the trio excelling on some funky soul jazz that is infectious but never predictable.

In addition to the excellent playing of the three musicians, Pelham Parkway is most notable for Kevin Golden’s compositions and the attractive group sound, which updates the organ trio tradition. It is heartily recommended.

—-Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian and author of 11 books including The Great Jazz Guitarists, The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76

Tracklist:

1. Market Square (7:03)
2. Let's Do This (6:42)
3. JJ's Smove Groove (5:12)
4. Pelham Parkway (4:31)
5. Where Are They Now (4:32)
6. Let's Make The Time (6:08)
7. Cherry Pie (5:51)