Evan Arntzen • Countermelody

Reedsman Evan Arntzen is ready to make a splash in the jazz world with his third release as leader, a gem of an album on the award winning Dot Time Records. Catherine Russell has been releasing her Grammy nominated albums on the label and I would love to see this album get the same nod. Ms. Russell makes a guest appearance singing on that opening track and a few others. She calls Arntzen a much needed "dose of youthful musical passion and inspiration". Kicking off a major album with "Muskrat Ramble" is audacious, it announces a no holds bared set of traditional jazz is on its way. On "Muskrat Ramble" her warm voice and clear enunciation add to the excitement, giving the lyrics a new importance amidst a series of marvelous ensemble exchanges.  As the title suggests there is a focus throughout this record on the beauty of interplay over soloing, in the true New Orleans style. Arntzen has assembled an A list of musicians in their creative prime to join him on this excellent record including;  Jon-Erik Kellso and Mike Davis on trumpets, New Orleans trombonist Charlie Halloran, pianist Dalton Ridenhour, bassist Tal Ronen, drummer Mark McLean, and Evan's brother Arnt Arntzen on guitar and banjo. The album was conceived late one night in 2018 when Evan and Charlie Halloran enjoyed a back and forth on the title "Smiles" at the Spotted Cat in New Orleans. Not surprisingly "Smiles" make