Sam Burckhardt

Fly Over

Airways Records

11 tracks/43:23

By Mark Thompson

A native of Switzerland, saxophonist Sam Burckhardt has lived in Chicago since 1982. He made the move to join Sunnyland Slim’s band. Burckhardt had sat in with Slim on several shows during the piano player’s European tours, appearing on Sunnyland’s Live In Europe recording, which was the first release on Burckhardt’s Airways label. The following decade he added his sax to the Mighty Blue Kings, a formidable Chicago aggregation that was at the forefront in the burgeoning swing revival. Other credits include a hand in the formation of The Big Swing, a small big band with a repertoire full of jump and swing classics.

For his latest release, Burckhardt enlisted the help of guitar wizard Joel Paterson and the rhythm section of Paterson’s band, the Modern Sounds, featuring Beau Sample on upright bass and Alex Hall on the drums. Paterson co-produced the project while Hall had a hand in all aspects of the recording, engineering as well as mixing and mastering. Burckhardt’s old friend, Pete Benson, contributes on organ and piano.

The program is comprised of three originals written by the saxophonist and Paterson, starting with the opener. “Bird Watching” sets the pace with sax and guitar both playing the melody line with crisp accents from Benson on the Hammond organ. Then Burckhardt takes off, turning the melody around while adding a few low, honking tones. Soon Paterson and Benson join in, the three musicians trading the lead back and forth on a joyful excursion that gives more than a hint of what is to follow. “Early Bird Blues” is another original with Benson switching to piano and Paterson offering a brief taste of his fluid picking before Burckhardt digs into the tune, gliding into the horn’s upper register, blowing up a storm before settling down for a calm finish. The title track is the third new song, a swinging number that showcases the Sample-Hall combination, driving a fleet-finger Paterson guitar ride leading into Benson making full use of the Hammond’s pedals, leaving it to Burckhardt to wrap things up with some brawny tenor sax.

Leroy Carr’s classic, “In The Evening,” has Burckhardt laying down a laidback vocal accompanied by Paterson. When the band kicks in, Hall sets the pace using brushes for a subtle groove. Paterson dazzles with another concise solo before Burckhardt enters with a moving solo segment. Benson’s Hammond organ dominates the arrangement for “Route 66,” and Burckhardt delivers a more energetic vocal on the timeless classic. The jaunty “Spring Swing” comes complete with a series of memorable solos, and Burckhardt’s is the best of the bunch. Another highlight is the romping rendition of Tiny Grimes’ “Rock The House,” as the band establishes a propulsive groove for another Paterson guitar foray. “Doggin’ With Doggett” is another jump blues classic with Burckhardt, Benson on piano, and Paterson turning in mesmerizing instrumental passages.

Given Burckhardt’s love of jazz, it is not surprising to find several cuts from two legendary big band leaders. The group creates a late-night feel on Count Basie’s “Blue & Sentimental” with the leader’s sax crying the blues through the dark, smoky atmosphere. Duke Ellington’s “Just Squeeze Me” floats along until Benson goes to work on the piano, spinning off a marvelous improvisation that is answered by the mellow, airy tone of the leader’s sax. Another Ellington tune closes the disc. The ballad “Solitude” gets a touch of Caribbean rhythm with Benson on organ filling in the arrangement, leaving plenty of room for perhaps Burckhardt’s finest solo, a joyous romp that will smiling as you sway along.

What else is there to say – it’s a disc full of noteworthy material expertly rendered by world-class musicians. Burckhardt has a musical vision where blues and jazz exist in the same realm rather than two distinct entities. With the help of Paterson and crew, that vision unfolds throughout every moment of this remarkable effort. This one comes highly recommended!

For info or to buy the CD:

http://www.airwayrecords.com/fly-over/