Bobby Wiens: Focus

SELFPRODUCED (MARCH 31, 2026)

Although the phrase “know your place” dates to the late 1500s, drummer Bobby Wiens lives it on Focus. Despite a handful of extended drum solos (but after all, he is the leader of this session), Wiens does what a thoughtful drummer should do — keep the rhythms steady and interesting while allowing members of the ensemble to shine. For his second recording session, that ensemble includes fellow Coloradans Gabriel Mervine on trumpet and flugelhorn, Tom Amend on piano and keyboards and Seth Lewis on bass. Except for Bob Dylan’s “With God on Our Side,” the group tackles 10 originals by Wiens, ranging from upbeat model pieces to ballads and Latin grooves to bebop. Wiens and Mervine kick off the proceedings with the funky New Orleans second line sound of “Go Back to the Beginning.” Wiens powers the “So What” inspired modal title track giving Mervine and Amend room to explore the possibilities the tune offers with solos that are expressive to explosive. The light-hearted shuffle beat of “Hat Trick” includes a clever interchange between Mervine and Amend. The quartet showcases their more lyrical side on the slow Latin tempo of “Devoted Heart.” They dance their way through the calypso inspired “Sun Dance (for Al Foster).” They bop through the up tempo “Morning Run,” with strong solos from Mervine, Amend and Lewis. The lone ballad on the session, “For AJ” gives Amend a chance to showcase his organ playing while the hypnotic mood of “Mantra” is powered by Lewis’ strong bass and Wiens’ colorful rhythms. Wiens’ compositional and drumming skills get a bit more exotic on the free form “Hermann,” the funky “Headed East” and the hymn-like feel of the Dylan tune. The straight ahead and straight forward approach of Focus reinforces the simple fact that Bobby Wiens knows his place — as a consummate drummer, a skillful composer and respectful bandleader.

BOTTOM LINE: Focus seems like a more than appropriate title for drummer Bobby Wiens’ second release. It not only focuses on his skills as a thoughtful drummer, but showcases the full range of his compositions that are perfectly executed by a quartet focused on making Wiens’ music come alive.