The Road Begins Here

Album Review

This, the debut album from Matt Jorgensen as a bandleader, is something to be heard. Within, he sets out with a trio of Seattle-based players (Marc Seales on organ rather than his usual piano, Phil Sparks on bass, and Rob Davis on sax) to run through works from the greats of post-bop jazz (Miles, Trane) and a number of their own compositions, as well as a stray Zeppelin number that works incredibly well converted into a space-filled jazz piece. Each of the players adds something to the recording. Davis' sax alternately squeaks and squawks through a solo and holds up tight melodic lines in the main passages. Jorgensen keeps the rhythm throughout, but also adds a flair to the proceedings in the spaces between other performers (as well as his own solos). Sparks provides able backing and a touch of fantasy in his solos, and Seales remains largely in the background but proves that he can convert well to the organ from the piano. All in all, this is part of the quiet front of Seattle's ever-growing jazz scene, and in the front ranks of the movement as well.