PAPATAMUS REDUX

CELLAR MUSIC  (RELEASED NOVEMBER 8, 2024)

It appears that the Cellar Music label is becoming the keeper of the flame for solid sessions in the hard bop tradition. In the past year, the label has released CDs from legendary players such as Eric Alexander, Alvin Queen and George Coleman to up-and-coming artists such as Jacob Chung, Sean Fyfe and John Lee. The label’s newest release We Make: Stories for a New Day showcases the drumming and composing acumen of Zach Adelman. Other than a drum solo on Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” and a drum/alto duet on Monk’s “Evidence,” Adelman prefers to spend most of the time supporting the musicians he has assembled for this session — alto saxophonists Sarah Hanahan and Steve Wilson, trumpeter Austin Ford, trombonist Steve Davis, pianist Luther Allison and bassist Jared Beckstead. Adelman’s writing is tailor-made for a variety of group formats. On the Blakey-esque “In Between Places,” Ford’s trumpet conjures up Lee Morgan while Allison’s captures the soul of Horace Silver. The Latin-inspired “All Around Us” provides an opportunity for Hanahan’s soulful alto to soar. “It Always Rains in Michigan,” one of first tunes Adelman ever wrote, is a feature for Davis’ full and fluid playing. The ballad “Song for Wedgewood,” the Latin swinger (At the Canadian) Border Patrol,” and the Monkish “Lookin’ Up” feature a quartet fronted by Wilson, who switches to flute for the ballad. Regardless of the format — trio or sextet — Adelman’s sensitive playing, from his brushwork on “Ballad for the Night” to his hard-driving swing on “In Between Places.” will make him a top drummer for more sessions in this genre. Just as important to this session as his drumming is his compositional skills. Adelman’s writing and arranging captures the feel of classic hard bop session, moving from solid and swinging to bluesy and blustery to soulful and sultry. My only complaint with this session is the two non- Adelman compositions — “Night and Day,” to honor Kenny Garrett, and “Evidence,” to recognize the duo sessions of Lewis Nash and Steve Wilson. I would have much preferred to hear some more original Adelman arrangements featuring the full sextet on these tunes. Regardless, the hard bop flame is burning bright thanks to Zach Adelman and Cellar Music.

BOTTOM LINE:  He’s a drummer.  He’s a composer. He’s an arranger. He’s a bandleader. Zach Adelman does it all on We Make: Stories for a New Day. More importantly, he swings! His debut release is a masterful example of how the hardbop tradition continues to have a hold on younger musicians who are breathing, and in Zach’s case pounding, new life into it.