JERSEY JAZZ

March of 2021 Issue

by Joseph Lang

On a few occasions when going to see Harry Allen at Shanghai Jazz, a young tenor sax player, JACK BRANDFIELD, sat in for a few numbers.  Brandfield was in the jazz program at Michigan State University and had enjoyed some mentoring by Allen as the occasions permitted.  Now doing graduate work at the University of Miami, Brandfield has released his first album, I’ll Never Be the Same (Gut String Records – 052), in the company of two of his teachers at MSU, guitarist Randy Napoleon and bassist Rodney Whitaker.  Like Allen, Brandfield is attracted to classic songs from the Great American Songbook and tunes by some of the finest jazz composers.  There are 12 selections, including spotlight tracks for Napoleon, “Over the Rainbow” and Whitaker, “Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me.”  There is a nice ballad medley comprising “I’m Through With Love,” “Polka Dots and Moonbeams,” featuring Napoleon, “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” a feature for Whitaker, and “That’s All.”  Brandfield’s original, “Where Leaves Change,” reflects the inspiration that comes from his love of GAS material.  All in all, I’ll Never Be the Same is an impressive debut album.  (gutstringrecords.com)