Mike McClelland Rm 210 - You'll Hear It, The Music of Bob Fenton

 As indicated in the title, this recording is a tribute to Canadian jazz musician Bob Fenton. Born in Windsor in 1925, Bob was a pianist and composer of note. He spent a great deal of time at the mecca of modern jazz, New York City during the 1950's. During that time he was able to listen to and meet with much of the amazing talent that performed in that city on a regular basis. Bob's journey eventually brought him home to Canada and he settled in Toronto. Over his career, he performed with a number of prominent jazz musicians, and also was known as an excellent accompanist, working with many singers.  In Toronto, Bob not only performed regularly but became a mentor to a number of younger musicians. 

"You'll Hear It" is a tribute to to Bob Fenton the composer, with the music being performed by a quartet of some of Toronto's finest players. All of the compositions, with one exception, were written by Bob. In preparing the review of this CD, I was able to speak with Mike Murley, who played tenor and soprano sax on the recording. The liner notes on the CD's jacket included a heartfelt tribute from Mike to Bob, wherein Mike speaks glowingly of his opportunities to partake in weekly sessions at Bob's house performing Bob's original music, something Mike told me that he was always very interested in doing. During Bob's time in New York, he was exposed to the jazz greats, and Mike that you could hear the influence of such artists as Thelonious Monk in Bob's compositions. The other players on the recording were the leader, Mike McClelland on drums, Reg Schwager on guitar and Neil Swainson on bass. When I asked about the decision to have a guitarist as opposed to a pianist, Mike indicated that Reg was a good fit for the project. After listening, I couldn't agree more. In a quartet setting like this, the guitar seems to open up more space for the rest of the band. Reg's comping is supportive, and his solos inventive. Mike said that it was actually Mr McClelland that had the idea for the project. Mike switches between the two different saxes, performing beautifully on both. The rhythm section supports the music without overwhelming the soloists, always providing propulsion and a strong sense of swing. 

The album was recorded during a single session in July 2024. It has been released on Cornerstone Records, a Canadian label. To my ears, I hear the kind of jazz that was being recorded on labels like Impulse during the 1960's. The melodies, as indicated to me during my conversation with Mr Murley, are strong. The music is vibrant and while having more modern elements, is still very listenable. As I like to say, recommended.