Samba de Novembro

Like many musicians, guitarist Rick Stone's opportunities to record as a leader are sporadic, but he makes the most of them when he gets into the studio. Joined by pianist Tardo Hammer and drummer Matt Wilson (who are both fine leaders in their own right) and bassist Yosuke Inoue, the quartet gels like a band that has regularly worked together. Stone mixes up his program with standards and jazz works by others, along with his own delightful originals, especially the perky opener, "Samba de Novembro." Stone's approach to the guitar is consistently swinging, though he obviously believes in leaving room for his bandmates while also letting the music breathe, such as in his spacious and lovely solo introduction to "My Romance." His subtle "Duck, Duck, Blues!" would have fit right in during the height of the hard bop era. His arrangements of Kenny Werner's tricky "Autumn in Three" and Bill Evans' "Song for Helen" are masterful. Inoue contributed the exotic "West Side Waltz," which opens with a superb bass solo before transforming into a swinging waltz. Hopefully, Rick Stone will not have to wait another decade before recording his next release as a leader. Recommended.