Search - Dean Schmidt :: I Know Nothing

Very listenable, if not essential

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 03/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Is there room for independent jazz of this sort, that is, a local label (OriginArts out of Seattle), a cast of unknown but highly competent players, and an altogether serviceable, if not spectacular session?



Sadly, probably not. Since jazz constitutes less than 5% of disc sales, and an outing like this--unsupported by its indie label, probably very poorly distributed, and, although very well played, not particularly distinguishable from hundreds of similar efforts--is likely to garner only minimal sales, almost certainly not recouping the money spent to produce it.



Which is unfortunate. But who knows? Stranger things have happened. Maybe some savvy individual in the biz will hear this disc and take a chance on Dean Schmidt, sign him with a major label, and produce a killer session, although I'm not holding my breath.



That said, this is an entirely engaging disc, with everything working at a very high level. Let's start with the packaging (which is what originally made me check out this disc)--a heartlandish cover sleeve photo of a decrepit barn and blue boat (probably from a stock photo house--but maybe not; it's got a personal photo credit) evoking huge feelings of longing and lost hopes. Next, the band: an eclectic outfit geared to easily express the many jazzy moods (Latin, balladic, bloozy, elegiac) assayed. Standout players include a very modern-sounding Thomas Marriott on trumpet, the versatile Gary Gibson on steel drums, vibes, and percussion, and the leader on e-bass, having absorbed everything from Jaco, to Marcus Miller, to Mark Egan. Finally the tunes: they're very approachable without being clichéd. Probably the Latin-tinged numbers work best, but all evoke a smile of great enjoyment.



Me, I have nothing but best wishes for Dean Schmidt and company: may they achieve great success, and may their tribe increase. ****1/2."