| | Brent Jensen Sound Of A Dry Martini CD Brent Jensen Discography of CDs
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Educator, clinician, and A-one alto sax player, Brent Jensen honors one of the most self-effacing musicians in the history of jazz, Paul Desmond. The title comes from Desmond's ambition to "sound like a dry martini," probably very light on the vermouth. There are many "Desmond-isms" that he liked to use to describe his work. On the secret to his unique tone, he said "I honestly don't know! It has something to do with the fact that I play illegally." Desmond admired Charlie Parker's playing, as well as the new paths he blazed. But he was determined to do his own thing. The result was a style and tone that were light, fluid, subtlety swinging, and expressive. This sense of artistry is captured by Jensen as he plays a set of tunes that Desmond either played as a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, such as "Tangerine" and "Alice in Wonderland," or played in other settings, such as "Out of Nowhere." A couple of Desmond originals are on the program, including "Take Five," which has become a jazz staple. Playing Jim Hall to Jensen's Desmond is guitarist Jamie Findlay, recalling those classic albums they made together between 1959 and 1965. Recordings that Desmond made in Toronto with Ed Bickert during the 1974-1975 time period will also be remembered as these two work through the play list. Joining the two main players are the restrained, but contributing, bass and drums of Zac Matthews and Dean Koba, respectively. Matthews gets in a nice solo on "Black Orpheus." Dedication to Desmond notwithstanding, Jensen's playing stands on its own feet. That he prefers to play in the manner of Paul Desmond is a credit to his taste and his respect for the melodies that come from his horn. Easily recommended. ~ Dave Nathan
Idaho-based saxophonist Brent Jensen teams with members of Los Angeles' Acoustic Jazz Quartet in a collection of 10 tunes closely associated with the ever-lyrical and inventive alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. Says jazz writer Doug Ramsey in his liner note
Recorded at The Bakery, North Hollywood, California on March 29 & 30, 2001. Includes liner notes by Doug Ramsey.
Personnel: Brent Jensen (alto saxophone); Jamie Findlay (guitar); Dean Koba (drums).
Audio Mixer: Andy Waterman .
Liner Note Author: Doug Ramsey.
Recording information: The Bakery, N. Hollywood, CA (03/29/2001-03/30/2001).
Personnel includes: Brent Jensen (alto saxophone); Jamie Findlay (guitar); Zac Matthews (bass); Dean Koba (drums).
Sound Of A Dry Martini Music Brent Jensen Sound Of A Dry Martini Songs | 1. | Wendy |
| 2. | Tangerine |
| 3. | Black Orpheus |
| 4. | Things Ain't What They Used to Be |
| 5. | Take Five |
| 6. | Audrey |
| 7. | Line for Lyons |
| 8. | Body and Soul |
| 9. | Out of Nowhere |
| 10. | Alice in Wonderland |
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Sound Of A Dry Martini Music Review Average Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)  Better than a "tribute"... maybe better than Desmond himself
Wow! This album is billed as a tribute to one of the coolest alto saxophonists to ever take the bandstand, Paul Desmond. As great a tribute as this is; however, I think calling this a tribute might just be short-changing Brent Jensen. Before going any further, let me add that this quartet is manned by a bunch of guys that are simply INCREDIBLE, lending their talents to the sound that was founded by the likes of Jim Hall, Percy Heath, and Connie Kay, and later on, Ed Bickert... This group is tight, it swings, and to say that the overall sound is awesome would be trite. Now for Brent Jensen. Desmond was the epitome of cool, and Jensen has that cool sound here... only Desmond, to me, always seemed to be on cruise control. He was reserved and sort of "throttled-back." Brent Jensen has the "sound", but he adds an element that "opens up" the throttle a bit and brings in an element that makes his sound his own. In a word, he SWINGS. Take a listen to Desmond's version of "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" and then listen to Jensen's. While Desmond played with a sense of humor that "poked fun at" things, Jensen just flat out sounds like he's having fun. There is a little fugal counterpoint going on between Jensen and Jamie Findlay in "Line for Lyons" that is terrific and just makes you want to smile. And finally, there is someone who can do something refreshing with the bridge of "Take Five." Lastly, Dean Koba has got to be the classiest drummer I've heard in ages. This is my personal favorite jazz album of the last ten years. Kudos.
Submitted by John (Manteca, CA)
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