Under the lively baton of drummer Ernesto Cervini, the Turboprop sextet offer up its fourth career album, perhaps its best to date, and that includes Joy, nominated for a JUNO in 2022. With a Canadian theme, Cervini serves up a rich bouquet of jazz influences as a backdrop for his own compositions, as well as covers of Canadian pop/rock hit bands such as Our Lady Peace and The Barenaked Ladies. There are also pieces by the excellent Allison Au and the ensemble’s trombonist, William Carn.
Beautifully expressed modern jazz, woven in the post-bop school and often blues-textured, but also featuring some fine brass chorus flights (Clumsy from Our Lady Peace is soaring) with interesting contrapuntal piano interventions here and there. Cervini wields his sticks with dexterity and elegance, but doesn’t shy away from expressing a certain power on occasion, with some fine virtuoso touches.
Proudly Canadian jazz, and very, very solid.
Tara Davidson – Alto Saxophone
Joel Frahm – Tenor Saxophone
William Carn – Trombone
Adrean Farrugia – Piano
Dan Loomis – Bass
Ernesto Cervini – Drums
The album will be available on Bandcamp on 8 March 2024:
