Based in Brooklyn, Reed's Bass Drum is a dynamic trio beginning to lay their imprint on the city. Despite their youth, this relative newcomer to the scene has appeared with rare force. Having rereleased their debut album,
Which is Which, this past January at Lou Reed and John Zorn's The Stone, the band is again booked to take on another New York jazz establishment with an upcoming performance at the Blue Note on May 20th. Comprised of baritone sax player Jonah Parzen-Johnson, bassist Noah Garabedian, and drummer Aaron Ewing the band is a delicate grouping of young talent. Whether its a smooth roll of the drums, sly fill on the bass, or sultry remark from the baritone sax their teamwork does good work to drive even the heaviest lines steadily home. Taking influence from mentors like Bryan Lynch, Joe Lavano, and Tower of Power's Lenny Picket as Parzen-Johnson's lyrical talent sets the band apart with their hard hitting baritone driven arrangements. They occupy a certain space close to the jutting groove of Medeski, Martin, and Wood but with a classic trio warmth, lending to an innovative style with palpable sincerity. With the low register of the bari sax and the band's attentive rhythm there is a certain resonating charm that fill's each room Bass Drum plays. Their rich timbre lends to a mellow sound swirling with space for innovative co-operation, working to set them apart from other sax-drum-bass trios such as New York's Fly. Their new album is filled with thoughtful and hard hitting original tunes sure to excite at their upcoming Blue Note performance. Coming with a strong endorsement from Sound Out Loud
you can buy their cd or download the albumWhich is Which at cd baby.
Reed's Bass Drum performs 5/20 6:30 p.m. at Blue Note
Tickets: $15 bar/$25 table
131 West 3rd St.
New York, NY 10012
212-475-8592
