The Verve Jazz
Ensemble
‘Connect the
Dots’
LightGroove Media
When I first put on
The Verve Jazz Ensemble’s “Connect the Dots,” I couldn’t help thinking it must
be some generic group the famous label threw together. But during the opening
tune, Lalo Shifrin’s “Bistro,” I found myself thinking, who is this great flute
player? I looked at the credits and found that it was Eastman School of Music
graduate Alexa Tarantino. Maybe you remember her blowing everyone away when she
soloed on saxophone with Earth, Wind & Fire at the jazz festival a few
years ago. As a newer member of The Verve Jazz Ensemble, Tarantino adds some great
alto sax on many of this album’s tracks.
It turns out the
group’s been around since 2006 with core members Jon Blanck on sax, drummer
Josh Feldstein, Tatum Greenblatt on trumpet; pianist Steve Einerson, and bassist
Elias Bailey. Another featured guest is the excellent trombonist Willie
Applewhite. Tunes range from adventurous originals to classics like Cole
Porter’s “Love for Sale,” and every performance is a gem.
This article appears in May 29 – Jun 4, 2019.
