For their second release on Random Act Records, The WOLFF & CLARK EXPEDITION, pianist Michael Wolff and drummer Mike Clark, are joined by the most sought-after bass player in jazz: Christian McBride. He shares bass duties with the young phenom Daryl Johns. Both bassists lock with drummer Clark to form tight, creative and cooking rhythm tandems. Completing the band is rising star saxophonist Hailey Niswanger and trumpet hero Wallace Roney. This “Red Album,” “Expedition 2,” captures the W&C Expedition at the peak of their prowess. They continue their brave musical explorations via a diverse array of tunes by Cream (“Sunshine Of Your Love,” swung mightily, with Christian copping a deep groove), Johnny Carisi (the classic “Israel” in a very hip arrangement), Monk (a playfully buoyant “Monk”s Dream” and a propulsive “In Walked Bud”), Prince (“1999,” tastefully mellow and swinging, with a searing soprano solo by Hailey), and Dizzy (“A Night In Tunisia” done the W&C way, with Wallace blowing with abandon). The originals impress, too — “Clark Bar,” Wolff”s tribute to a certain drummer, showcases the trio”s chops with McBride in tow; “Madiba,” in honor of Nelson Mandela, is a mini-suite, a masterwork; “Stray,” written by Wolff for fellow pianist Billy Strayhorn, is a tear-jerker of a ballad; and “Mulgrew,” composed for yet another departed piano giant, is swinging affair with McBride laying it down. W&C get even more adventurous by performing a couple duets, just piano and drums. They take Jimmy Heath”s “Gingerbread Boy” to impressionistic new heights, and they reveal the depths of Ornette Coleman”s “Invisible.” The WOLFF & CLARK EXPEDITION continues their journey of musical excellence.

Additional Details

Label: Random Act Records

Genre: Jazz

Run Time: 40 mins

Release Date: 02/10/15

UPC: 888295064354