Aretha Tillotson – Kinda Out West

If Kinda Out West by the double bassist Aretha Tillotson generously shines the light on the western side of Canadian jazz, there is still quite a bit of Montreal in this luminescent spectrum. That is, except for Tillotson, who has been based in Edmonton for a long time, the other three members of this high-flying quartet live or have lived in Montreal for quite some time: this is the case for the two Jensen sisters, Christine (saxophone) and Ingrid (trumpet), who are originally from British Columbia. Christine is still based in the Quebec metropolis, while Ingrid has previously lived here (she is now based in New York). The drummer Dave Laing has been an assistant professor of music and head of the drum and percussion section at MacEwan University in Edmonton since 2021, but for many decades he was one of the pillars of Montreal jazz. In short, here is a beautiful western canadian show of excellence, with a bit of Montreal colour in it.

Tillotson’s compositions are rooted in the great school of jazz, with just the right dose of modernism. There are references here and there to Sonny Rollins (Way Out West from 1957, which aptly informs the title track Kinda Out West), to Ornette Coleman and to the giants of Hard Bop. Tillotson asserts her presence with conviction, without over-exposing herself and leaving plenty of room for her companions. With performers of such a high level of excellence, the opposite would have been unacceptable. One can see why the lady won a Western Canadian Music Award in 2024 for the album Introducing Aretha Tillotson.

Here is a highly satisfying release for serious jazz enthusiasts, and on top of that, it’s balanced pan-Canadianism.