Meet Reviewer Damian Erskine ~

Bill Carrothers

“Joy Spring”

(www.bridgeboymusic.com)

Pianist Bill Carrothers brings together one hell of a trio with the inclusion of Drew Gress on Bass and Bill Stewart on Drums.  While the album is named after Clifford Brown’s composition, “Joy Spring”, this is no ‘tribute in the style of’ type of recording.  The music here is a very personal reflection on that bop spirit, to my ears anyway.  The band is smoking in a way that many bands don’t anymore.  Full of vigor, ears wide open and each capable of going anywhere the music takes them.  It is hard driving, endlessly musical and swings HARD.  While there is no original music contained here, these songs are indeed refreshed and performed with a musicality and ferocity that very few can bring to the table like this.  Highly recommended for jazz and bop lovers!