Chris Hazelton: In Rotation

CELLAR MUSIC MAY 15, 2026)

If it were not for the vibraphone of Peter Schlamb, Chris Hazleton’s In Rotation might very well be just another solid organ/sax/drum session. The tunes, a combination of originals and jazz classics, are typical of the genre, but the way in which they are played gives them a distinctive feel. This is especially true on the opening track — a contemporary approach to Jimmy Heath’s “Sound for Sore Ears.” Schlamb’s heavy vibrato adds a space-age effect to the tune while drummer John Kizilarmut’s aggressive drumming gives it a bit of a modern-day attitude. Unlike this updated assault on the Heath tune, the ensemble tends to embrace the beauty of the other jazz classics on In Rotation in a more traditional manner. Schlamb’s long flowing lines complement the soulful solos from Hazelton and saxophonist Brett Jackson on Horace Silver’s “Summer in Central Park.” Hazelton provides a lush harmonic cushion upon which Schlamb and Jackson explore the melodic charm of Billy Strayhorn’s “A Flower is a Lovesome Thing.” The familiar head of Lee Morgan’s “Speedball” not only introduces this classic but is used to separate the blues-infused solos from all members of the group, including a feature spot for Kizilarmut. A nice and easy feel to Hazelton’s arrangement of Tadd Dameron’s “On a Misty Night” makes it sound as if the tune was written for this unique instrumentation. In addition to these familiar tunes, Hazelton contributes three originals to this session — the lilting pop feel of “Paris of the Plains,” the semi atmospheric mood of “First Snow’ and the upbeat Latin groove of “Brisk Breeze Through the Trees,” which bears a resemblance of Miles Davis’ ‘Four.” Despite my reservations about “A Sound for Sore Ears,” the overall feel of In Rotation is a good reminder of how the organ jazz sound can be advanced with the addition of the vibraphone, soulful and supportive players and a nice mix of tunes. It also demonstrates how great jazz is still coming out of Kansas City, the town of which Hazelton, Schlamb, Jackson and Kizilarmut are proud to call home.

BOTTOM LINE: On his 2005 “Organic Vibe” release, Joey DeFrancesco explored the sonic possibilities of jazz organ with vibes, sax and drums. Twenty-one years later organist Chris Hazelton does just the same on In Rotation, making it more than merely another swinging and bluesy organ/drums/sax date.