The John Webber Quartet - Down For The Count (2014)

Recorded live before a studio audience at New York City s Unity Center, Down for the Count, named for an actual Italian Count and Bologna benefactor to many in NYC s straight-ahead jazz scene, fulfills the expectations of the bandleader; I got the guys I was comfortable working with, because I know that with them, it s always going to be swinging. And swing it does! Featuring a mixed program of originals: Lulu s Lope (named for Webber s daughter), Twilight in Seville (reflective of the guitarist s time spent listening to Andrés Segovia and one of the few pieces contained here in which Webber lays down a beautiful chordal introduction utilizing Spanish harmony or was the true inspiration behind the tune a night spent in a Spanish Bodega while on tour when, after buying drinks for the local musicians, Webber found himself down for the count when the sunrise rolled in) and Minor March; George Coleman s blues line Big G Blues; and obscure jazz standards that Webber has creatively reimagined and arranged, Down for the Count is a loose, swinging affair. Clear communicative phrasing, effervescent rhythmic interplay, complete mastery of the jazz language and a bright Gibson ES-330 tone (Grant Green s 1960s guitar of choice) that soars hornlike above the blue chip rhythm section of Mabern, Farnsworth and Nat Reeves (a veteran of the bands of Jackie MacLean and Mabern and, as evidenced by the tremendous synchronization between bass and drums, a long time musical running mate of drummer Farnsworth), all coalesce to, as the title of the final tune trumpets (a favourite of Coleman s and a song which this rhythm section with Webber on bass perform regularly in Big G s band) Make Someone Happy. This recording does just that.

Tracklist:

1. Love Love Away
2. Down For The Count
3. Lulu's Lope
4. The Thrill Is Gone
5. This Love Of Mine
6. Big G Blues
7. Twilight In Seville
8. Minor March
9. Make Someone Happy

Personnel:

John Webber - guitar
Harold Mabern - piano
Nat Reeves - bass
Joe Farnsworth - drums
& George Coleman - tenor saxophone (6, 9)