Daniel Sadownick: "There Will Be A Day"

An eclectic blend of serious jazz and Afro-Cuban music that runs the gamut from the most hard driving bebop to the most passionate ballad, as well as showcasing the utilization of percussion in a variety of contexts.

The long awaited CD, There Will Be A Day, by Daniel Sadownick features all original compositions as well as showcasing the utilization of percussion in a "straight-ahead jazz context." Daniel feels that percussion in jazz at this present stage seems to be limited to a certain style that does not included all the possibilities of the instrument. "I want to include all my influences when I play jazz. That runs the gamut from the Art Ensemble of Chicago to Joe Zawinul; from Cannonball Adderley to Frank Zappa. These musicians were torchbearers and pioneers. I hope that my contributions make a statement that is parallel to these exceptional artists. They were consistent in their commitment to bring passion, intensity, and soul to their music. When I would go to see and hear the Art EnsembAle of Chicago, Cecil Taylor, Tony Williams, McCoy Tyner, Andrew Cyrille and others of this incredible caliber perform they would be so serious, conscious, and intense in bringing this art form to life in the highest regard. This is the only way that I want to carry myself. It has to be an event - if not, why even show up?"

REVIEW

For those that may not be familiar with Daniel Sadownick, he's recorded and toured with the likes of Al Green, The Roots, Steely Dan, Michael Brecker, Dennis Chambers, Billy Idol, Pat Martino, Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, Raul Midon and The Screaming Headless Torsos, and has played on six Grammy winning albums.

I think There Will Be A Day is a great album. It's organic and in the moment ... like a jazz album should be!

The opening track, "Dedication", is just that, a dedication to Sadownick's musical influences which includes the likes of percussionists and drummers (e.g. Don Alias, Mongo Santamaria, Patato Valdez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Michael Shrieve), musicians and composers (e.g. John Coltrane, Frank Zappa, Carlos Santana) and his teacher, the late Frank Malabe. I can hear these influences not only on this first track, but on the entire album, which has a nice blend of jazz, latin, and latin-jazz styles and feels.

The second tune, "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise", may be my most favorite tracks on the disc. Perhaps because it's a cover tune? Maybe. The entire band flows and weaves its way through this wonderful arrangement, blending swing and rumba rhythms as the piano, tenor sax, trumpet and congas each take a solo.

"Bronx Bop" definitely lives up to its title and will have you dancing around the room. Drummer Daniel Freedman is the driving force on this track, propelling the band forward while maintaining an fantastic bounce feel throughout.

"A Kiss That Whispers" is a slow, haunting composition with lots of wonderful textures coming from percussionist Kenny Wollsen (gongs and cymbals) and Freedman on drums. Sadownick holds it all together, laying down solid, yet subtle groove as the oboe (a nice instrument choice by the way) and piano float over the top.

"Urban Scene" features one musician, Sadownick, who plays percussion (congas, bata, clave, shekere, cowbell) ... and some very hip, 'Jaco' sounding fretless bass! The feel of this track is special in that there's a bridge between duple and triple feels ... something that is indigenous to the rumba folkloric style.

The title cut, "There Will Be A Day", is medium swing tune with a west coast jazz sound featuring a sweet, gentle melody from the trumpet and alto sax.

"Paths" is a bluesy, son montuno, piano driven tune. Sadownick stretches out on the congas over the piano guajeos.

"The Moon Has Flown" is a post-bop meets Afro-Cuban 6/8 tune. The entire band swings as two Daniels interlace and blend their bembé influenced rhythms, bringing the jazz genre itself back to its very roots. Tenor saxophonist Michael Karn shines on this very 'Michael Brecker' sounding composition; nice.

"Steady", subtitled 'a prayer for within', is the final track featuring the words/vocals of Morley Kamen, and a thick rhythmic-bed by percussionist Daniel Sadownick.

There Will Be A Day is a wonderful album that breathes and moves within Latin-Jazz tradition, while at the same time, steers clear of the typical Afro-Cuban / Brazilian systemics. Recommended for the Modern Hard-Bop, Latin influenced, jazz lover.