Album Review: The Ways In from James Zollar

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Album:  The Ways In
Artist:  James Zollar
Label:  Label: JZAZ Records
Websites:  https://www.rsberkeley.com/james-zollar
https://www.discogs.com/artist/954763-James-Zollar
https://wyntonmarsalis.org/personnel/detail/james-zollar

A straight-ahead jazz oeuvre, The Ways In from bandleader and trumpet player James Zollar resumes a quest where pioneers of the trumpet's sympathetic vibrations like Clifford Brown and Bill Coleman left off.  Zollar shows audiences the delightful, melodious tone of the trumpet, moving in harmony with an array of brass, woodwinds, and rhythm instruments.

The robust wails of Zollar's trumpet strutting languidly along "Do Nothing 'till You Hear From Me" emotes an enduring personable trait, unwavering persistence in the face of being dejected.  The recording switches to a joyful atmosphere in "Swing Spring" with jangly beats from percussionist Chembo Corniel, interfacing with the buoyant ripples generated by Michael Rorby's trombone and Stefano Doglioni's bass clarinet, as the percolating notes of David Hazeltine's Fender Rhodes sprinkle the track in a frothy rustle.

"The Single Petal of a Rose" features vocalist Nabuko Kiryu whose resonating tone has an elevating quality, as Riza Printup's harp strings shroud the melody in shimmery gossamer.  Kiryu returns on "Blue Silver," joining in the swinging romp and moving between a scatting phrasing and a honeyed vocalese.  The candlelight ambience of "Checkered Hat" is kindled by Zollar's sultry textured flugelhorn, musing with a soft quivering sensuality harnessed by an amorous glint.

Presently playing with The Duke Ellington Orchestra, James Zollar does not merely preserve the straight-ahead jazz standard started by the likes of Clark Terry and Roy Eldridge but he continues its journey, making it relevant to future generations of musicians and listeners.  Zollar's music shows images of his influencers, his mentors, and his peers along with his own ideas and melodic sensibilities.  His recording is a straight-ahead jazz body of work that resounds a timeless appeal.

Musicians:
James Zollar - trumpet and flugelhorn
Michael Rorby - trombone
Stefano Doglioni - bass clarinet
Nabuko Kiryu - vocals
David Hazeltine - piano and Fender Rhodes
Gerald Cannon - bass
Willie Jones III - drums

Special Guests:
Jeremy Pelt - trumpet
Jennifer Vincent - cello and bass
Riza Printup - harp
Chembo Corniel - conga and percussion
Patience Higgins - tenor saxophone

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