Although the buzz surrounding ‘The New Cool’ by contemporary jazz keyboard player Bob James and bass-man Nathan East is all about ‘how different it is’ from the output we have come to expect from these icons of the genre, those who have been with Bob James for the long haul will instantly connect it with his 1990 project ‘Grand Piano Canyon’ on which East also featured. Make no mistake this is not smooth jazz of the sort which is the staple of outdoor summer concerts and as such will not be for everyone. However it is music to be played late at night, with the lights dimmed and with a glass of good red wine close to hand. Quite simply, this is music that epitomizes sophisticated jazz.
James and East produced ‘The New Cool’ with Yamaha Entertainment Group president Chris Gero as an acoustic set built around what is primarily original material but with a few select classics thrown in for good measure. The focus is to celebrate instrumental music being played in a real sense and for the listener to experience real instruments playing music in what might be regarded as the old-fashioned way. One interesting stand-out is an imaginatively-arranged version of Willie Nelson’s ‘Crazy’ with vocals in the unlikely but expert hands of country star Vince Gill.
Check it out. You might be surprised to find you like it.