Ardeshir Pourkeramati: Introducing Ardeshir

CELLAR MUSIC (RELEASED JUNE 26, 2026)

Having bought jazz recordings since the early 1960s, I can usually determine the music I will be hearing based solely on the artists, recording label, song titles and instrumentation. So, although I was totally unfamiliar with the leader of this session — Ardeshir Pourkeramati — the label, selections and instrumentation gave me a hint that I would be listening to a straight-ahead album rooted in the hard bop tradition. I was right! Introducing Ardeshir not only introduced me to saxophonist Pourkeramati, but also introduced me to an ensemble made up of other young lions from the Vancouver area — trumpeter Julian Borkowski, pianist Winston Matsushita, bassist David Caballero and drummer Graham Villette. Ardeshir wrote three of the tunes as tributes to jazz artists whose music shaped his artistic voice. “Sketches of Cedar” is what you would expect from a Cedar Walton inspired tune — a catchy melody with shifting rhythms. “Silver Tones” is pure Horace Silver with the horns stating the bluesy melody and a soulful solo from Matsushita. Needless to say, Vilette strong drumming sets the tone for “Bu’s Message.” Other Ardeshir originals include “All About,” a bossa nova that features the leader on flute and adds percussionist Juan Encinales to the ensemble; and a Herbie Hancock inspired vamp called “Midnight Paradox.” Although they are delivered with precision and panache, Hank Mobley’s “East of the Village”, Sonny Stitt’s “Eternal Triangle” (with saxophonist Steve Kaldestad) and Ammons and Stitt’s “Blues Up and Down” (with saxophonist Cory Weeds) have all the ear marks of hard bop sessions — driving solos, a strong blues groove, trading fours and tight arrangements. Jimmy Van Heusen’s “Darn that Dream” is a perfect vehicle for Pourkeramati’s tender ballad playing while Cole Porter’s “Just One of Those Things” shows off his agile bebop chops. The set ends with a totally unnecessary and short take on the Miles Davis’ closing tune, “The Theme.” All in all, Introducing Ardeshir is what I expected, but if I have a craving for hard bop, I’ll do just what these musicians did — go back to the source!

BOTTOM LINE: With titles such as “Sketches of Cedar,” “Silver Tones” and “Bu’s Message,” you know exactly what to expect on Introducing Ardeshir. Saxophonist Ardeshir Pourkeamati makes his debut as a bandleader with a straight-ahead album rooted in the hard bop tradition. Fans of that genre will want to check this one out but I’d prefer going back to the source!