Domo Branch: Hand of Gifts

ALBINA MUSIC TRUST (RELEASED OCTOBER 31)

With the release of Hand of Gifts, Domo Branch establishes himself as a triple threat.
As a drummer, he displays the versatility and sensitivity to play everything from Latin numbers to slow blues, funky struts to ballads, and everything in between. As a composer, he creates musical sketches that provide improvisers with space to stretch and explore. As a bandleader, he has the maturity to firmly drive his quartet without overpowering them. Working with a group of his peers — pianist Tyler Henderson, saxophonist Abdias Armenterros and bassist Russell Hall — Hand of Gifts pays homage to Branch’s high school band director, celebrates Harlem’s legacy and honors his older brother who passed away in 2024. There is a sense of joy in the upbeat title track that features strong solos from Armenterros and Henderson. Armenterros’ soulful tenor sound is ideally suited for the funky “Big Moves,” that also showcase the bluesy side of Henderson; and the tender “Loved Ones,” on which Hall takes a heartfelt solo. Henderson takes a break for the pianoless trio of Armenterros, Hall and Branch to explore “Blues for the New World.” Armenterros’ picks up the soprano for the slow blues “Our Man Bogle” and the prayer-like “A Memory.” Although Branch works his rhythmic magic through these and other numbers, he rarely takes a solo, except for the track titled “Solo Drum,” a two and half minute display of his percussive capabilities. According to Branch, Hand of Gifts was a way for him to give back and pay homage to his past, his community and the broader world of jazz. He has succeeded in more ways than one — as a drummer, composer and bandleader!

BOTTOM LINE: 2024 was a transformative year for drummer Domo Branch. It was his busiest year touring worldwide, but it was also a year that saw the loss of his older brother. He captures the range of those emotions as well as memories of his earlier musical influences on Hand of Gifts, a release that introduces us to his exceptional new quartet as well his versatile compositional skills.