Miles Donahue - Just Passing Thru
Like a fine wine, jazz musicians age well with grace and class. Refining traditional and contemporary jazz, topped off with fusion, Miles Donahue certainly bears out this concept to a tasteful perfection. His latest album, coming on the heels of his 2017 "The Bug," this 2021 release "Just Passing Thru" is large in scope and beautiful in execution. From song to song, there are moments of tenderness, passages of grandeur, and fistfuls of exhilarating, technical wonder. He ventures out on a Celtic limb on Ireland, swings with verve on Living Room Blues, and demonstrates subtlety and passion on the opener, A Man of Few Words. Donahue, who is fluent on trumpet as well as tenor and soprano saxes, chooses notes boldly, exploring the full length of tonal potential. It is a joy to follow his risky explorations, as he makes his way through a labyrinth of unexpected turns. It certainly helps that he has an amazing crew behind him. Joe Santerre provides power grooves on electric bass as does Larry Finn on drums. They are joined by percussionist Ricardo Monzon, keyboard player Alain Mallet, and a handful of tracks featuring guitarist Mike Stern. With a vision that includes Crusaders style R&B, Weather Report fusion, and lovely, soulful turns, Donahue is masterly here. More than simply ""Just Passing Thru,"" he is making his permanent mark on todays jazz landscape. Stream it on the usual channels, or pick up your physical copy today.
Released February 16, 2021.
CD and Digital Download, Also available on Streamings Services.