Mark Elf Swingin' CD

This inventive electric jazz guitarist has had the great fortune to release eight CDs on his own label, without any need to concern himself with corporate dictation or airplay necessities -- and, in so doing, has been a huge hit on the Gavin radio charts. Freedom is what jazz is all about, and Elf's trio (which includes bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Winard Harper) epitomizes this on an album that generously lives up to its title. As always, Elf has a good time mixing playful originals (like the snappy, seductive "Indubitably," which gives Harper ample percussion solo time) and reworkings of classics by legends like Jerome Kern, John Coltrane, Cole Porter, and Richard Rodgers ("Manhattan" with Hart, "It Might as Well Be Spring" with Hammerstein). The swinging here is gentle and easy-strutting at the beginning of "I Can't Dance," but then heats up as the rhythm section picks up the pace; it's fun listening to Elf's warm, expressive tones try to keep up. Elf sets the zippy pace from the beginning of a brisk arrangement of Coltrane's "Lazy Bird," then settles back into medium tempo for the whimsical original "Gambinie's Bambinies," which finds his strings playing off Harper's cool hi-hat brushes. Elf's dynamic range of rhythm can be seen by contrasting the measured perfection of "Waltz for Wilke" with the highly percussive and improvisational "Blowins' for the Cohens." Elf sets the standard for what jazz should be -- fun, unrestrained, and (at least the way we hear it from the audience) totally spontaneous. ~ Jonathan Widran

Once again, jazz guitarist Mark Elf burns it up with bassist Robert Hurst, drummer Winard Harper & guest Aaron Goldberg, who appears on 2 tracks. The album has a mix of standards & originals with bebop, Latin, ballads & blues grooves. There are also two

2000. Includes liner notes by Mark Elf.

Recorded at Acoustic Sound Recording, Brooklyn, New York in August & December

Personnel: Mark Elf (guitar); Aaron Goldberg (piano); Winard Harper (drums).

Recording information: Acoustic Sound Recording, Brooklyn, NY (12/01/2000).

Personnel: Mark Elf (guitar); Aaron Goldberg (piano); Robert Hurst (bass); Winard Harp (drums).

CMJ (4/9/01, p.23) - "...Continues his loosely swingin' bop guitar trio format, mixing standards and originals. Elf's tone is crystal clear and fat..."
JazzTimes (5/01, pp.150-2) - "...Elf turns in an impressive performance....Fine work all around..."