In a life development I find most amusing I have come to be a regular contributor to what was once well known as the Village Voice Jazz Critics Poll, now published in ArtsFuse. My submissions stand out in that they include no albums or artists appearing on the lists from the other 130 contributors. This is a circumstance, that to Tom Hull, the current curator’s credit, they embrace rather than simply accommodate. When I make my 2024 list this December, Ricky Alexander’s new album, Just Found Joy, will be near the top of it and hopefully, this time, I won’t be the only one to have taken note.
This is in all ways an astoundingly good album of timeless jazz. I am primarily impressed by the pure musicianship, but also the stylistic vision, arrangements, and a choice selection of titles that gives the album a broad appeal. Ricky Alexander knew what he was going for and brought it together.
He started with an excellent group of musicians. Ricky plays soprano sax and clarinet and is perfectly complemented by Jon-Erik Kellso, one of my favorite trumpet players. Kellso brings out the best in him giving him a challenge to rise to. This is what a clarinet/trumpet front line should be. They are talking to each other, sometimes over each other with an excitement seemingly aware that impressed eavesdroppers are bearing witness. It’s brazen, and flirtatious, but not in the least pretentiou
