An ode to Woody Shaw with two guitarists in the ranks, a horn section with trumpet and baritone saxophone all propelled by a rhythm section of double bass and drums.
It was guitarist Jason Keizer who had the idea to pay tribute to the trumpeter who is considered one of the last great innovators of classic jazz. Erik Jekabson was given the task of following in Shaw's footsteps and he does so with verve thanks to a solid framework.
Baritone saxophonist Aaron Lington clearly has the right record collection with work by Leo Parker and Harry Carney, among others. Double bassist Dan Robbins and drummer Jason Lewis are unmistakably present in the right mode and especially with the appropriate groove every time. Regarding the latter, Keizer himself and fellow guitarist John Stowell excel in the same classical style.
The set list includes standards from Shaw's repertoire, including of course 'Organ Grinder', 'The Moontrane' and 'Katerina Ballerina'. Not surprising that a composition by Larry Young is also reprized ('Obsequious') since Shaw played on his reference work 'Unity'. They close with an appropriate title by Keizer himself, 'Shaw's Groove'. A time warp to a golden era when swing and bebop helped define the jazz canon.