Review: Henry Conerway III | With Pride For Dignity
Smile is what you do when hearing a compelling sound. That is exactly what I did when the first notes of the opening track filled the room. It takes a bassist to arrange a bassist’s composition and make it fresh.
Hailing from the Motor City, Henry Conerway honed his skills in the hallowed halls and practice rooms of Morehouse College as well as the stages of Atlanta clubs. This adroit but ever humble practitioner enlists two of the city’s finest jazz purveyors to accompany him on this sojourn through time – pianist Kenny Banks Jr. and bassist Kevin Smith. His musical acumen is steeped in the history and tradition of jazz, making his choice of compositions from the pantheon not so startling as he ventures through three generations of jazz masters and contemporaries – Ray Brown, Phineas Newborn, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Heath, Marcus Printup and Kenny Banks, Jr..
It is a well known fact that one should not take on a classic if one can bring nothing new to the canon and Ray Brown’s Slippery is one such composition. Conjuring up a myriad of thoughts as to what he may have been thinking when he composed this song, the trio puts its own spin while taking each listener on a personal sojourn with a new arrangement by Smith, raising the tempo ever so slightly to give it a fresh sound. The title track, With Pride For Dignity, composed by Banks begins quietly with a piano solo, that immediately put me in the revered mood of Danny Boy then quickly sent me to the equally reverent first line of New Orleans before stealthily moves through a series of jazz periods, giving one a sense of the pride and dignity of this recording session. Newborn’s composition Sugar Ray elicits thoughts of the great pugilist named Robinson, illustrating the grace and style with which he fought. Of course, with later generation the song could have meaning for Leonard or even Richard Pryor’s role in Harlem NIghts depending on perspective. His choice of the 1940 Ellington composition Cottontail, written for orchestra, deftly translates the emotion into a trio setting with all the tempo and panache a big band would express. Smith quickly walks the bass as he paces the music leading into the brush work of Conerway. I could have been in the Savoy Ballroom testifying to this performance as Jitterbuggers or Lindyhoppers paraded the floor.
Hopscotch by composer and irrepressible trumpeter Printup is not the stuff of school girls tossing stones and jumping in chalk-lined squares but exhibits a similar humor of adults reminiscing those sidewalks as the trio swings this one. Heath’s Gingerbread Boy proves that jazz is never easy and placing it among such revered company is the epitome of this talented threesome true to their character. Banks follows this with another of his compositions The Feel Goods with a short overture that leads into a hip swing that best exemplifies the best times of our lives. Conerway closes with Carvin’s Agreement, an original composition he penned to pay tribute to one of his teachers, Michael Carvin, showing us just what drums can do.
Conerway’s svelte delivery as a leader keeps him in stride with his compatriots who swing equally gentle or sassy when called upon. An inventive drummer, he carries each song with equal parts to his companions, never overshadowing the others. Having witnessed the growth of these young men over the years, they were satisfied on many an occasion to sit unnoticed in the audience while gleaning pointers from the masters, a practice few young musicians find a need to do in this day and age. Like all great musicians they also realize there is still much to learn, more growth to take place. So it is no surprise their evolution into this cohesive unit affords them the facility to ply their trade as well as they do. They are more than musicians, they are friends who can start, carry and finish each other’s musical conversation when required. However, I beseech you to not overlook the liner notes so eloquently written by esteemed saxophonist and professor Dwight Andrews. Also do not dismiss the cover photography of any album because there is always a story, one deeper that you may surmise. This photograph was decidedly taken upon Henry’s request during a visit to the home of Langston Hughes. Historic on many levels.
Much more cannot be said of this album other than this is not a quick listen to see if you like it. You will. So take note music directors and programmers, it is radio friendly. You don’t need to skip tracks without listening to each one fully. If you must skip tracks it is my hope that you have a favorite song on this project and anticipation of getting to it is unbearable to see the trio’s approach. Whatever you do, this album speaks for itself and is a testament to the volumes of knowledge these industry-respected practitioners have about the music they have given their lives to enjoy performing. This is with pride for dignity and well worth the nod from their peers and a well-deserved Grammy nomination from the Recording Academy. Listen. You will be pleased.
carl anthony | notorious jazz | november 17, 2018
Give A Gift Of Jazz ~ Share 
#preserving genius
More Posts: bandleader,drums,history,instrumental,jazz,music,review
The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is off to France, where the gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt was popular in the 1930s, to Sunset/Sunside at 60 Rue des Lombards, 75001 Paris. This visit to the City of Lights will partake of the music of the guitar Gilad Hekselman Trio featuring Kendrick Scott and Nitai Hershkovits.
This family-owned club, created in 1983 by Michele and Jean-Marc Portet, has two rooms, each with a very different feel: Sunside looks like a 1950s New York jazz club while Sunset’s styling is reminiscent of the Paris metro.
Showtimes are 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm, admission is €30.00 and reservations are highly recommended at +33 (0) 1 40 26 46 60. #wannabewhereyouare #jazz #voyager #travel #club #adventure
More Posts: adventure,club,genius,jazz,museum,music,preserving,restaurant,travel,voyager
The Jazz Voyager
Across the Atlantic once more is where the Jazz Voyager is heading to a jazz club that once hosted an impromptu saxophone performance by former President Bill Clinton. The oldest jazz club in the Czech Republic is located in Prague and is the Reduta Jazz Club. Situated on Národní třída 20 just off Wenceslas Squarein the centre of the city, it is close to the National Theatre and was established in 1957 at a time when Czechoslovakia wasn’t exactly enjoying the warm creative breeze of a liberal renaissance by the bassist Jan Arnet, who gave its name from a term for centers of fun and music,
Focusing on fusing jazz with modern progressive styles, throughout the year they also present swing, Dixieland, mainstream, modern jazz, big band compositions, blues, bossa nova and jazz pop. This weekend the Jazz Voyager will be entertained by Doris Lamos and her quartet paying tribute to Billie Holiday. Perfect acoustics makes this one of the best listening spaces and on the list in the top 10 European jazz spots.
Committed to jazz every night of the week kicking off at around 9.30pm has ensured that tourists and locals alike have stoked up a buzzing atmosphere. Intimate in its atmosphere with seating for 100 with a genuine jazz club vibe has a bar serving pilsner straight from a “saxophone” pump.
General admission from €10.50 with student discounts and it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance to secure entry. More information is available at +420 224 933 487. #wannabewhereyouare #jazz #voyager #travel #club #adventure
More Posts: adventure,club,genius,jazz,museum,music,preserving,restaurant,travel,voyager
The Jazz Voyager
Philly is the next Jazz Voyager stomping grounds for the famous Tuesday night jam session at the Manayunk Brewing Company. The building was originally constructed in 1822 by Ann Dawson as a cotton mill, to take advantage of the key location at the mouth of the Manayunk Canal before its transformation into a brewery with additions restaurant and recognized as a local jazz spot on Tuesdays.
The historic jam session was started by architect and amateur bassist Herman DeJong in 1990 at Mace Thompson’s now defunct 23rd Street Cafe. The jam session has had hundreds of local, national and international musicians and vocalist sit in weekly. Located at 4120 Main Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19127, the venue offers craft beers and a variety of salads, burgers, sandwiches, plates and desserts to delight the palate while listening. For more info on cover and minimums can be attained by calling 215- 482-8220. #wannabewhereyouare #jazz #voyager #travel #club #adventure
More Posts: adventure,club,genius,jazz,museum,music,preserving,restaurant,travel,voyager
The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is back in New Orleans, Louisiana on the Frenchman strip for a late night of jazz at the Blue Nile. Situated in the heart of the historic Faubourg Marigny district at 532 Frenchman Street 70016, it is one of the longest standing clubs in the city and offers an eclectic array of music as only NOLA does. Housed in a 1832 building, the decor of this intimate space is blue and gold, giving it a ritzy atmosphere.
Reportedly the first building erected and the first club to institute the culture of live music on the street, this Jazz Voyager checked the clubs calendar and will witness to the talents of Kermit Ruffins and The BBQ Swingers. The set begins at 11:00 and as always it is recommended to make reservations and purchase tickets online or at 504-948-2583. No tickets to purchase means availability at the door only 1 hour before performance. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday music begins around 7:00pm and there is never a cover unless otherwise specified, however, a drink purchase is required. #wannabewhereyouare #jazz #voyager #travel #club #adventure
More Posts: adventure,club,genius,jazz,museum,music,preserving,restaurant,travel,voyager