Alvin Queen - 'Mighty Long Way'

Veteran jazz drummer/bandleader Alvin Queen dazzles and swings with vintage jazz on his latest recording. As he showcased on last year’s similar, and lauded, project, “I Ain’t Looking At You,” the New York native/ Switzerland resident leads a combo of savvy, like-minded players in presenting challenging solos and expert improvisations in a jazz full of blues, soul  and gospel foundations.

Featuring the work of saxophonist Jesse Davis and trumpeter Terrell Stafford, the music recalls the accessible, and danceable, ’60s/’70s jazz of past Queen associations, including those with Ruth Brown, Stanley Turrentine, Clark Terry  and Jimmy Smith. Similar to the styles and leadership of Art Blakey and Max Roach, Queen’s drum work swings, leads and keeps time. It acts as a perfect engine to propel the horn riffs, the fat Hammond B3 sounds of Mike LaDonne and the bluesy touches of guitarist Peter Bernstein. Alongside five melodic originals, Queen and company effectively quote Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Horace Silver  and Wayne Shorter.

  – Eric Feber, The Pilot

Tracks to download “I Got a Woman,” “Cape Verdean Blues,” “United”

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