Album Review: Woodsliders Collective

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Based in New York City's Woodside, Queens neighborhood, the Woodsiders Collective is a collaboration of saxophonist Luis Sigüenza from Ecuador, trombonist Justus Heher from Germany, pianist Andrew McGowan from New Orleans, Louisiana, guitarist Yuto Kanazawa from Japan, and Russian/Belgian drummer Ilya Dynov.  Together, the quintet takes harmonious aesthetics and melodic sensibilities, relatable to icons like Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond and John Coltrane, to the next level of adult contemporary jazz.   Their self-titled recording from 2021 shows a flare for straight-ahead jazz improvising and cool Bohemian jazz stylizing, propagating a relaxing lifestyle.

The sunny ambience of "Kaiman" is moored by a leisurely stride straddled in Dynov's gentle drumming and Kanazawa's softly pulsating riffs interspersed by McGowan's keys, interjecting tingling shards of radiance.  "Isolation" is swaddled in Bohemian-like swells wrapped in Heher's smooth trombone wails and McGowan's light and flouncy piano quivers.  Heher's trombone laments openly along "Giu," emoting human reflections, laced in McGowan's glinting keys and the caressing strokes of Catricala's bass.  "NJT" is an upbeat track, twined in breezy saxophone whirls, rustling keys, and lively improvisations on the guitar strings, snuggling along a springy beat.  

Track after track has an easy-listening vibe, reminiscent of the great pioneers of jazz with a modern tint in the quintet's perspective and playing.  The band has collaborated with Lonnie Plaxico, Tyler Mitchell, Steve Davis, Stacy Dillard, and Alex Norris along their travels.  Some of their tracks have been featured on NPR’s Jazz Night in America, Spotify’s All New Jazz, and Youtube’s Jazz Hotlist playlists.  Their music is easy to like and conducive to listeners who enjoy life.

Musicians:
Luis Sigüenza - saxophone
Justus Heher - trombone
Andrew McGowan - piano
Yuto Kanazawa - guitar
Ilya Dynov - drums

Special Guest:
Leonardo Catricala - bass

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