Music Reviews: Featured Artist

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Joseph Pernicano: Evolving Paths

With close to 70 minutes of pure jazz bass player Joseph Pernicano’s solo album Evolving Paths lets instruments do the talking while the rest of the band add their excellent accompaniment.

The players are Harry Smallenburg (vibes), Scott Sadlon (drums), Ian Vo (alto & soprano Sax), Beth Schenck (alto sax), Danny Moynahan (tenor sax), Matt Carroll (tenor sax), Steve Creason (guitar), and Stuart Hambley (Trombone). While these fine musicians are not household names they certainly stand up as a unit while executing definitively, falling in complete sync with the band leader.

The outstanding support that Pernicano receives is paramount to his success and it allows him to let the bass standout as a lead instrument; however he steps back to let everyone else be a star as well throughout the run of this superb recording. Roger Cortes (Elton John, Herb Alpert, and David Sanborn) sits in the production chair and his enormous talent and experience prove to be invaluable. The subtleties and color palettes of jazz reaches its fruition, painting the musical canvas with a broad brush in every aspect. Thanks to all the contributors on this project, Evolving Paths lives up to its name giving listeners seven tracks of contemporary jazz with a strong foothold in the tradition and roots of the genre.

Joseph is a seasoned veteran paying his dues for years on L.A. jazz circuit. The artist states that the music is a form of self expression and life experiences translated through the compositions which are directly related to the immense respect he has for music.

After listening thoroughly to all seven tracks I have to admit that this CD was rock solid from top to bottom and every track a monument to jazz. Any way you look at it Mr. Pernicano deserves the respect and admiration of his peers and the jazz community as a whole for his accomplishments on Evolving Paths.

Full Review: Joseph Pernicano: Evolving Paths