So my bias toward the trumpet playing of Roy Hargrove is documented. I have unapologetically been biased toward his music for the last 20 years. On an earlier blog, I didn’t hold back proclaiming my affection for his last offering “Earfood”. But I grew up playing with him and his sound is stuck in my head. It’s like being able to distinguish a sibling’s voice in a crowd because you’ve heard it for years.
But I have been a quest to find artists that I’m not familiar with and find new voices to enjoy. I haven’t done a good job because some of my favorites have released incredible records. Most notably this year was B. Marsalis’ latest, Metamorphosen.
Enter Sean Jones. His new record is titled, THE SEARCH WITHIN. The title alone strikes me because it is a true jazzman’s eternal quest. Maybe it is a bit narcissistic for any artist to believe that they have something “within” that they haven’t already offered. Or maybe it is a directive for the listener to “search within” while listening. I took it as personal challenge to find another trumpet player that I would give more than a cursory listening. But this is my blog so I don’t necessarily have to be objective.
This record I like! I won’t search for eloquent language about how this recording is far reaching into jazz’s future because it’s just not that record. But THE SEARCH WITHIN is a solid outing by this artist. It reminds me of some very competent cats getting together to teach a master’s class at a college competition and at the end showing the kids how to do “it”. This may be because Sean Jones is a professor of music as well as a recording artist. The old saying goes, “Those who can do and those who can’t teach”. Let me be clear, Jones can and he does and he teaches.
I got a glimpse of his work from a suggested clip, SEAN’S JONES COMES DOWN. From the downbeat, he comes right at you. He’s studied his bebop well and interprets it with veracity. Also, throughout the recording, Jones’ approach to Flugelhorn leads you to the pure beauty of sound. His compositions and arrangements will immediately put you in the mind of a Terrance Blanchard scored movie. Sometimes is improv feels a bit tedious, but it’s never drawn out and inappropriate. But I’m not sure that’s just not my bias.
After this, his fifth studio record, I believe that Sean Jones’ search within will yield great music. This document is proof that he just might be on his way. I encourage you to listen.
