Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Joe Mongelli and the Cape Jazz Crew: WashAshore

2

Joe Mongelli and the Cape Jazz Crew: WashAshore

By

Sign in to view read count
Joe Mongelli and the Cape Jazz Crew: WashAshore
Joe Mongelli and the Cape Jazz Crew's new CD, WashAshore features well-known tunes with modern-day arrangement and trumpeter Mongelli and the Crew offer inspired playing. This is not just another standards album, but an imaginative and carefully crafted collection of arrangements that have already been tested in countless live performances. The group is full of interplay and since they perform regularly together, they have an added dimension that is garnered by years of significant audience support and praise from their live performances.

Striking out from Cape Cod, MA, Mongelli has created a remarkable album that simply swings and is perfect for easy-going listening. Backed by the Crew: Fred Boyle on piano, Ron Ormsby on bass and Steve Langone drums (except tracks 3, 4, 8), Bart Weisman on drums (tracks 4 & 8) and guest Alan Clinger on guitar (track 6). Mongelli lays out a series of ten tracks that capture the swingin' feeling of great jazz from the 50s. It's jazzy swing with the soul of the blues...in other words, the genuine swingin' article, not some pick-up band that just got together and called themselves a swing band. Mongelli knows his musical history and the Crew knows how to support and honor the tradition themselves. Which frankly adds up to an enjoyable experience of the traditional jazz idiom.

Mongelli's unique arrangements, his range of style and high-quality performances might make one think of Miles Davis' final sessions for Prestige, the series of four albums: Cookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet (1957), Relaxin' with the Miles Davis Quintet (1958), Workin' with the Miles Davis Quintet (1959), and Steamin' with the Miles Davis Quintet (1961). "When I Fall in Love" is a fine example of this on WashAshore. Played as a relaxed medium-up swing, Mongelli's playing of long, legato, and melodic lines is at heart the success of his improvisational style. Boyle also turns in a melodic gem of a solo, full of heart and feeling.

I could use fancy words to describe the band, but simply put -the band just swings, this is becoming a rare commodity in jazz widening breadth. The album is perfect for listening and the music feels good. "Doxy" is given a creative arrangement that captures the swingin' feeling of the late 1950s-early 60s. It's jazzy swing keeps the authentic journey on track. The tutti writing between Bruce Abbott on flute and Mongelli's muted trumpet is a nice addition to the sonic-scape. Mongelli's trumpet voice is supremely soulful and powerful, but he has just enough modern edge to really make his playing have its own identity.

WashAshore is a beautiful revision of classic standards by a band that swings with buoyant depth. Bringing a modern sound to the legendary jazz from the 50s, while still retaining a full of infectious swing throughout. Trumpet fans who haven't heard of Joe Mongelli are going to be in for a treat, he offers an authenticity to his sound that rings true from track to track, with a respect for the traditional swing signature sound.

Track Listing

I Got It Bad; When I Fall in Love; Alfie; Doxy; Watermelon Man; Beautiful Love; Bag’s Groove; Til There Was You; Makin’ Whoopie; Where or When /I Thought About You.

Personnel

Joe Mongelli: flugelhorn, trumpet; Fred Boyle: piano; Ron Ormsby: bass; Steve Langone: drums; Bart Weisman: drums; Alan Clinger: guitar; Bruce Abbott: flute.

Album information

Title: WashAshore | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.