Andrew Cheshire
Magic
(Joule)

This Cheshire cat (sorry, couldn't resist) is, for me, a pinnacle of uncommonness: a "mainstream" jazz guitarist that doesn't bore the crap out of me. True, I can appreciate the craft that goes into jazz guitar by such as Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, et. al., but-perhaps decades of rock & roll have spoiled/damaged me-that particular mode of playing has always seemed too glossy for my taste. Sonny Sharrock, John McLaughlin, Eddie Lang, Charlie Christian, Bill Frisell-now those guys are more my speed. Not that Cheshire sounds anything like them (matter o' fact, closer to Grant Green), but while maintaining a somewhat "mainstream" style, he has absorbed their idiosyncratic and unfettered approach(s). He performs here is two trios: one with Billy Hart (drums) & Ron McClure (bass), another with Dominic Duval (bass) & Jay Rosen (drums). The former is the more straight-ahead of the two, the latter more loose-form (as opposed to "free-form") and pensive. Both are marked by the qualities of agile, sympathetic interaction, a gentle yet questing lyrical sense and a willingness to stretch the music without stretching it-all-outta-shape . (In other words, no self-absorbed plik-plank-plonk meandering here.)

-Mark Keresman
Waterfront Week