| The Cliff Hines Quintet is a jazz group hailing from New Orleans. Led by guitarist/composer Cliff Hines, the band started as a trio with bassist Martin Masakowski and drummer Paul Thibodeaux. The band quickly expanded to include EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument)/Saxophonist Khris Royal, and vocalist Sasha Masakowski (Martin’s sister, both of whom are offspring of former Blue Note guitarist Steve Masakowski). All of the members received music education at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) and most of the band attended the University of New Orleans (UNO) to further their jazz education. After gigging around New Orleans and finding their own sound, they went into the studio to record their debut album “Like Mystics of Old”. While the album features layers upon layers of instruments, all of the instruments were played by members of the Quintet with Cliff and Khris picking up keyboard parts, and Martin playing bass clarinet and bass recorder. Currently, his new Quintet features Jasen Weaver on bass and Andrew McGowan on keyboard (replacing Khris Royal). Recently their music video “What Choice do I Have?” was one of 11 finalists in a national music video competition sponsored by dosomething.org and Vh1’s Save the Music to raise awareness for music education. The new band is currently rehearsing songs for their follow-up album, tentatively titled “Traveler.” | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| You can’t judge an album by its artwork. Such holds true for the Mark Weliky Trio’s self-titled debut. In stark contrast from what you’d expect from the carefree, self-assured lads who grace the rather garish cover, the young jazz outfit comprised of guitarist Weliky, bassist Martin Masakowski, and drummer Paul Thibodeaux (classmates at UNO) plays with poise, command, and a deep sense of awareness for the forms and figures they explore. Bandleader Weliky composed 10 of this disc’s 12 tracks. The familiar Henry Mancini classic “The Days of Wine and Roses” opens the disc. A surprising choice, the trio transforms the grand serenade into an intimate swing with Weliky’s effusive lead dancing about Masakowski’s strolling bass and Thibodeaux’s syncopated pitter-patter. A talented composer and a passionate and versatile guitarist, Weliky’s impressionistic compositions, much like his agile solos, swoop and soar keenly and cunningly, with precision and finesse. Though refined and well rehearsed, early on the youthful trio seems a bit hesitant, their playing more complimentary than adventurous. Yet, all the while, they remain acutely aware of dynamics and texture, establishing a lively, melodic air as they ease into the nimble and exuberant excursion “Butterfly Kisses.” Here they begin to spread their wings, swirling around the beat, each player engaging the space around him. This leads into the album’s centerpiece, “Dragon Dance,” a simmering modal suite which finds the trio exploring a serpentine labyrinth. Mysterious and majestic, the three-part showcase makes for the album’s most intricate and intoxicating foray. A second cover, Jaco Pastorius’ “Three Views of a Secret,” rounds out the set. Vigorously performed, this bold move leaves a lasting imprint. A tad green, and despite a tendency to play things a bit too straight, the Mark Weliky Trio displays remarkable intra-band unity and a rare knack for turning simple note clusters into lithesome cascades. | |||||||||||||||||||||||