PAPATAMUS REDUX

CROSSTOWNE 1001 (RELEASED APRIL 04, 2025)

Guitarist Dave Stryker, baritone saxophonist Frank Basile and trombonist Steve Turre are among several jazz musicians who left their native Omaha, Nebraska, to make a name for themselves in New York City. Others, like organist Mitch Towne, decided to enliven the jazz scene in their hometown and surrounding communities. With the release of Refuge, Towne is enlivening jazz organ fans throughout the world. Known for his ability to shift between jazz, soul, R&B and rap, Refuge gives us a good idea of Townes’ real passion — the organ/guitar/drum format pioneered by Jimmy Smith and advanced by Larry Young. Towne takes the approach of the latter on six originals as well as one tune from pianist Kenny Kirkland. Accompanied by two Nebraska transplants — guitarist Tetsuya Nishiyama and drummer Jeffery Johnson — the band goes beyond the typical blues and standards that dominate many organ trio sessions. “Wolverine” opens the session with a modern angular feel with solos exploring every nook and cranny of Towne’s composition. Fleet single note solos from Towne and Nishiyama are perfect for the catchy and groovy melody of “Refuge.” The band let’s their “funk flag fly” on the pop sounding “Better Now Than Never at All” and the rhythmic “Ode to Kenny.” Towne’s use of block chords and his interchanges with Nishiyama set the mood for Kirkland’s “Steepian Faith.”  The slower and 5/4 tempo of “Some Work of Noble Note, May Yet Be Done” is a nice break before the up-tempo closer of Towne’s :Act As If” closes out this session. Refuge is Towne’s debut release as a leader and will certainly garner him fans far beyond his refuge in the Midwest.

BOTTOM LINE: Throughout his career, organist Mitch Towne has taken refuge in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, where he performs pop, R&B, rock and jazz with a variety of regional and national artists. With the release of Refuge, jazz organ fans throughout the world will understand why Towne is the go-to jazz organist in the Midwest .