.Chicago based trumpeter and educator Pharez Whitted returns to the spotlight with an exciting new release, For The People. A bright, optimistic, heartfelt session, the noted trumpeter is joined by the band with which he recorded 2010's "Transient Journey": Guitarist Bobby Broom, pianist Ron Perrillo, saxophonist Eddie Bayard, bassist Dennis Carroll, & drummer Greg Artry. The result is a bright, optimistic, heartfelt session that features a solid lineup of tunes. On "Another Kind of Blues" Whitted's precision trumpet lines punctuate the tune which, electrified by Ron Perillo's keyboards, recall the Herbie Hancock Sextet of the early 1970s. Whitted presents a highly personal "Sad Eyes" on which the trumpeter hits all of the right notes, a tune which came to the artist in the aftermath of the breakup of his marriage A solid pulse is kept on "Keep The Faith" with the trumpeter again at the center of the action. And on "Hope Springs Eternal" Bobby Broom makes an important statement on his guitar. All in all, this is an exceptional disc and certainly worth adding to your own home collection. For more information you may visit http://www.pharezwhitted.com/
Below, you'll find a compilation of all album reviews done by local KIOS jazz and blues staff.