PAPATAMUS REDUX

Who’s the up-and-coming bassist making a name for himself at Smalls, Blues Alley and other clubs in North America? Who’s the up-and-coming bassist capable of playing strong melodic lines as well as compelling harmonic/rhythmic lines? And who’s the up-and-coming bassist writing new ballads, bebop tunes and jazz waltzes? The answer is in The Answer, the debut release from Winnipeg native (now living in New York City) Ilya Osachuk. Grounded in the jazz tradition, Osachuk leads two different trios on The Answer. One trio features up-and-comers Tyler Henderson on piano and Kai Craig on drums. The other trio showcases master musicians and Osachuk mentors Donald Vega on piano and Billy Drummond on drums. Both trios are ideally suited for Osachuk’s strong playing and compositional skills. Craig’s ability to shift rhythms is perfect for the Cedar Walton feel of Osachuk’s “Lviv Perspective.” Henderson lets his Oscar Peterson flag fly on the standard “I Cover the Waterfront.” Vega and Drummond bring the essence of the Bill Evans Trio to February, an introspective piece written by Osachuk in 2020. Following the advice of Barry Harris, who once said that every set should include a Monk tune, the Osachuk/Henderson/Craig trio does an admirable job on navigating the twists and turns of “Work.” Shifting from his role as a rhythm section player, Osachuk’s bass “sings” the melodies on the standards “I Cover the Waterfront” and “Tenderly” and John Coltrane’s “Satellite.”  Osachuk may be an up-and-comer now, but The Answer will catapult him into the mainstream of jazz players who relish the jazz tradition.

BOTTOM LINE:  It takes guts for a bassist to begin their recording career by leading a recording session. Ilya Osachuk not only has the guts, he has strong bass playing skills, interesting compositional ideas and the ability to lead two different trios through a set of jazz standards and originals. If you have any questions about this up-and-coming bassist’s credentials, The Answer will give you the answer!