Gerard Chumilla: Introducing

FRESH SOUND/NEW TALENT 683 (RECORDED APRIL 2023)

It’s no surprise that tenor saxophonist Gerard Chumilla chose to record Warne Marsh’s “Dixie’s Delimma” on his inaugural release. Afterall, his teacher/mentor and saxophonist Mark Turner recorded that same tune on his 2018 Temporary Kings release. Nor is it a surprise that Chumilla selected bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jorge Rossy to accompany him for this outing. He studied with both of them at Jazzcampus in Basel, Switzerland (where this CD was recorded). It’s also no surprise that Chumilla plays two tunes associated with tenor giants — Billy Strayhorn’s “My Little Brown Book,” immortalized by John Coltrane of his 1963 Duke Ellington & John Coltrane album, and Wayne Shorter’s “Fee Fi Fo Fum,” first recorded in 1966. What is surprising is the beauty and charm of Chumilla’s six original compositions featured on this release as well as the maturity of his somewhat dry, cool approach to the saxophone. His originals range in mood from the ballad “Reaching the Zenith” to the blues of “Spring Blues” to the hypnotic feel of “The Wanderer” (a track that adds pianist Noe Secula to the mix). On those tunes, as well as other tunes previously mentioned, Chumilla’s playing is front and center as he blends the old sound of Warne Marsh with new school teachings of Mark Turner to create a style all his own. Grenadier and Rossy’s accompaniment provide Chumilla with the freedom to explore the melody and harmonies of the ten tunes on this recording while also stepping up to the plate to deliver some exceptional solos (check on Grenadier’s luscious solo on “Reach for the Zenith” and Rossy’s tasteful breaks on “ Spring Blues”). This recording definitely lives up to the name of the recording company that made it possible — Fresh Sound New Talent. I encourage you to introduce youself to the writingm playing and fresh sound of this new talent — Gerald Chumillo.

BOTTOM LINE: Will Rogers once said, “You never get a second change to make a first impression.” With his subdued yet edgy sound, saxophonist Gerard Chumilla definitely makes a good impression with a wonderful combination of original material and select jazz classics performed by an sympathetic bassist and drummer who give him room to luxuriate through each and every tune.