Onaje Allan Gumbs Remember Their Innocence CD

Onaje Allan Gumbs is highly respected among jazz musicians as a consummate pianist and thoughtful composer. This CD consists of 14 original compositions, covering a wide span of musical styles. His core band includes saxophonist Roger Byam, bassist Kenny Davis and drummer Billy Kilson, though the musicians vary from one track to another. The strongest materials consists of songs in a post-bop setting, such as a the thunderous "Healing Zone," the driving "Innerchange" (which would have been a natural for Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers had Gumbs worked for the drummer) and the delightful jazz waltz "Crystal Images" (which substitutes Marcus McLaurine on bass and George Gray on drums while adding trumpeter Eddie Allen). Gumbs' Brazilian flavored songs work equally well, including the easygoing samba "Virgo Rising" and the crisp bossa nova "Sol Brilho," the latter featuring guitarist Romero Lubambo, alto saxophonist Sadao Watanabe and percussionist Café. Perhaps the most striking track is Gumbs' only piano solo of the sessions, the adventurous "Playtime." As Gumbs ventures into crossover settings, things are less consistent. "Maybe Next Year" is a pleasant ballad featuring vocalist Branice McKenzie, though the thoughtful poetry of Sharrif Simmons in "All I Hear (Quiet Passion)" is backed by a smooth jazz groove that quickly grows tiresome. Gumbs also adds a superfluous synthesizer to several tracks, most of which would have sounded better without it. Even with these minor reservations, the musicianship that went into the making of this CD has to be appreciated and fans of Gumbs' earlier work as a leader should snap up this release without hesitation. ~ Ken Dryden

ONAJE ALLAN GUMBSRemember Their Innocence"Remember Their Innocence", is the latest edition in the growing discography of pianist-keyboardist-composer-arranger Onaje Allan Gumbs. "Remember Their Innocence" is a recording that aptly mirrors the extraordinarily broad-based pallet of experiences he has enjoyed and enhanced with his presence. Solidly based in jazz, "Remember Their Innocence" is blessed with a musically diverse sensibility that's quite accessible to both hard core jazz enthusiasts and those who crossover. Onaje has crafted an acoustic date full of good grooves and superior playing. Befitting both the breadth and depth of his impressive musical credentials, and the affiliations he has enjoyed with great musicians, the varied cast he has assembled to give wing to his compositions includes some of the most noted contemporary musicians; they include drummers Billy Kilson, George Gray and Vince Ector, bassists Kenny Davis, Marcus McLaurine and Miriam Sullivan, horn men Roger Byam, Eddie Allen, harmonica virtuoso Gregoire Maret and special guest saxophonist Sadao Watanabe."Each of the artists on my record are all master craftsmen who understand my vision without sacrificing their individuality" Onaje says. "Sadao Watanabe was not originally scheduled to be on the record. However when I hung out with him at his own session during the same time period as my recording, I casually asked him if he would consider playing on my date. Without missing a beat, he agreed, despite my modest budget. He and all of the musicians and singers gave me so much talent, cooperation and love during these sessions." "Remember Their Innocence" is also blessed with guest vocalists whose names you may not immediately recognize, but once you experience them on this disc,they will be impossible to forget. Dennis Collins [who also participated on Onaje's "Dare to Dream" date], and Branice McKenzie are two of the most talented vocalists out here,Onaje enthuses. They are two fine artists who don't get enough recognition or exposure. Another key contributor, from the spoken word side, is poet Sharrif Simmons, who lends his cool, crisp cadences to "All I Hear",which is aptly subtitled (Quiet Passion). Clearly Onaje Allan Gumbs knows a thing or three about crafting vocal tracks, skillsJazzTimes (p.130) - "Onaje Allan Gumbs is a quality pianist who proves his mainstream-modern mettle on a handful of the album's small-group tracks..."