center cuts

BOB SZAJNER

"center\\\cuts" 1981

Bob Szajner - piano

Ed Pickens- bass

Frank Isola, Mike Gutierrez- drums

center\\\cuts

Review by Veronica Timpanelli

Take a group of original compositions written by an unknown jazz piano player (Bob Szajner), add the fact that

none of the musicians performed the material before, add a peculiar “hardened hammer” piano, a bassman with

creative vengeance (Ed Pickens), drummers unfamiliar with original material but both brave and extremely

accomplished jazz artists (Frank Isola on cuts #1 through #5 and Mike Gutierrez on cuts #6 through #10), and

then mix with a mature hard bop composer /pianist (Szajner again) with at least 10 to 12 people in an audience

that seems too reserved for their own good AND you have performances on the cutting edge of improvisation

tailored for the discriminating enthusiast of the ‘50s-‘60s “classic genre of modern jazz!!!

'Center\Cuts' is a collection of bop and hard bop tunes recorded live at the Detroit Jazz Center World Stage.

Marked by easy, infectious melodies and grooves, and steady swinging bass lines, this disc features some

nice solos and exchanges between musicians. Especially of note is track #3, which features a twanging

and swift-fingered bass solo, and upbeat, snappy drums.Arrangements are straight-forward and simply

structured. The true essence of jazz improvisation is displayed here. A good listen.

"center\\\cuts"

TRACK NAME

#1) ISOLATION 8:35

#2) NICE "N" ELZY 7:02

#3) WALTZ FOR LAURA 7:26

#4) SHADOWS 9:34

#5) HOOK LINE AND SINCLAIR 6:22

#6) CLASS CONSCIOUS 7:35

#7) JADE SETTING 7:22

#8) THE NEXT TIME 6:58

#9) PRAYER MEETIN' 5:38

#10) UNREAL McCOY 7:19

CONTACT INFORMATION:
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(248) 661-5167
rmstriad@sbcglobal.net
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