Album Notes

Jazz will always be considered a place for individualism or mavericks. That being said at the heart or the core of the music there’s a selfless spirit, a sense of common goals that were collaboratively pursued. That’s Bop Tribal, a local Honolulu Jazz group consisting of very talented young musicians.

To be considered a “Jazzer” today is not the same as it was 15 or more years ago. Then it was Miles, Lester, Marshall, Sonny, Count, Bird, Trane etc. etc. etc. If it wasn’t them it wasn’t Jazz. Even today there is a core who feels that way. Boy, are they missing out. Take the group Bop Tribal for instance. They are missing out on a group who meld and make music you will “get into” from the first few bars of the opening tune, written by tenor man; Reggie Padilla not aptly titled but humorously “One Bad Song A Day”. Reggie also wrote “Tune 4 April” and “Lemon Flavored Suede Shoes”.

The leader, pianist Satomi Yarimizo wrote the next tune “Melancholic Toes” and shows her ability to weave a melody. What’s most striking to me is her melodic and structural integrity in both her playing and writing.

If there is a centerpiece to this project it is DeShannon Higa’s trumpet work, flugelhorn playing and writing. “Manoa Mist”, “Jellyfish”, “Bop Tribal”, “On The Edge” were four tunes he wrote for this project and each has it’s own exciting and emotional feel.

Rounding out the players we find Abe Lagrimas, Jr.. on drums (a soon to be national Jazz superstar, you heard it here first). If you haven’t already, just wait until you hear him play vibes. On bass Shawn Conley whose technique wraps the ribbon around the gift of this group’s first project.

Enjoy!


Don Gordon, KIPO - Honolulu