TPR RECORDS 0020 (RELEASED OCTOBER 30, 2026)
For Water Pistols at Dawn, Canadian drummer Ernesto Cervini surrounded himself with Toronto’s younger generation of jazz musicians — trumpeter Kae Murphy, guitarist Andrew Marzotto and bassist Mark Godfrey. Cervini drives the trio through three of his originals and new arrangements of existing material while at the same time he is driven by the energy and virtuosic playing of his younger associates. Murphy’s declarative introduction to “Waiting for a Win” immediately captures your attention, setting the stage for a an “in your face” post-bop excursion featuring unison trumpet-guitar choruses, an explosive trumpet solo and some bold, powerful drumming. The energy level remains high on the title track, as Marzotto opens with a western movie-theme vibe before launching into a forceful jazz-rock groove. That beat underscores more dynamic solos and spirited exchanges between Marzotto and Murphy, while Cervini navigates the ensemble through several shifting rhythmic patterns. The mood changes dramatically on Cervini’s Latin-infused arrangement of Glenn Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade.” His drumming, Murphy’s lyrical playing, a strong bass solo from Godfrey and Marzotto’s sensitive comping give this classic a fresh twist. The other selections drawn from existing material include Thelonious Monk’s “Evidence,” powered by Cervini’s propulsive drumming, and a solemn to boisterous performance of The Smile’s “Free in the Knowledge.” On these tunes, Murphy employees an effect that allows him to add chords and multiple notes to his playing. Although used tastefully, these effects seem unnecessary given the strength and clarity of his playing. The same can be said of his use of an EVI on “A Resonance Space,” a beautifully written Cervini ballad that would have been an ideal showcase for Murphy’s more lyrical, warm trumpet style. Aside from these missteps, which I am inclined to attribute to youthful enthusiasm, Water Pistols at Dawn brings to mind a passage from the Talmud, the primary source of Jewish law and theology — “Blessed is the generation in which the old listen to the young and the young listen to the old.”
BOTTOM LINE: Art Blakey isn’t the only drummer-bandleader with a reputation for bringing new talent into the jazz fold. Canadian drummer Ernesto Cervini carries on that tradition with Water Pistols at Dawn. Working with some of Toronto’s promising young jazz musicians, Cervini drives and draws inspiration from his collaborators as they explore his original compositions alongside music from Thelonious Monk, Glenn Miller and The Smile.
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