by Ken Laster
Do you yearn for those heady days of the early 1970’s, where Jazz/Rock fusion reigned supreme? Miles Davis had forged the sounds of Sly Stone, Jimi Hendrix and Prince with the virtuosity of jazz music. Return to Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra and Weather Report would fill large concert halls and be featured in rock festivals playing to a new young audience for jazz.
Andrew Renfroe, known to Hartford audiences during his years at U of H’s, has brought us back to those days with the release of his album Run In The Storm. With this album, Andrew’s creativity and richness of sound hearkens back to the jazz fusion era. Of note, the combination of Andrew’s guitar and Braxton Cook’s saxophone create a rich texture and harmony that is something special and unique. Taber Gable’s piano layered on those sounds brings the music to a higher level still. Rick Rosato (bass) and Curtis Nowosad (drums) complete the rhythm section adding a driving force to Andrew’s compositions.
My favorite track on the album is Gotham. Could this tune be influenced by the greatest of superheroes Batman and his fight against evil in the city of Gotham? For me, this composition is an aural graphic novel that brings a vibe of urban unrest, and the hope that a force for good can save the city from chaos (or perhaps I have an over-active imagination). Throughout the album, Andrew creates a unique dark brooding sound complimented perfectly by Braxton’s soaring saxophone, and pushed along with the hard driving rhythm section. If you enjoyed the halcyon jazz/fusion years, you are sure to appreciate this recording. Andrew Renfroe now resides in Los Angeles where he seems to be thriving, gigging frequently both as a leader and as a sideman with some great players like Ben Williams and Jonathan Pinson.
You can purchase the album on Bandcamp or stream it on Spotify or Apple Music.
