Swingin’ Easy ... Hittin’ Hard - PT Gazell and the Side Effects (Miss Max) 
Gazell is laying claim to being a modern day Charlie McCoy, following up the bluegrass release Pace Yourself (with Jerry Douglas and Ricky Skaggs) with an album of harmonica-fronted jazz and standards (for local readers, think Tony Martin Trio with mouth harp).  Gazell is fluid, articulate (particularly so on “Midnight in Amarillo”), and shows flash when the song calls for it.  From the jumpin’ opener “Just You, Just Me” to the breezy closer “Robbin’s Nest,” Gazell and his band paint a beautiful jazzy landscape.  This would make a nice gift for the instrumental or standards lover on your list.
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"Swingin' Easy…Hittin' Hard"

PT Gazell & the side effects

Miss Max Records

 

Regardless of musical style, the harmonica is seldom the featured instrument. Even less frequently is when it's in the jazz idiom. Toots Thielemans, Hendrik Meurkens and Howard Levy are exceptions to the rule. Now with a completely different approach, PT Gazell also shines the spotlight on this instrument.  

It's quite natural for a musician living in Tennessee to play country and bluegrass. That's what harmonica player PT Gazell did on his debut recording "Pace Yourself" some years ago. His new album though is dedicated to swing, and includes a collection of well-known and not so well known standard covers. The "side effects" is a group with the usual backing for harmonica: guitar, bass and drums. On four tracks vibes enhances this quartet. This addition creates a different tone with the unusual but successful pairing of vibes and the tiny wind instrument. Gazell's sweet, optimistic and warm sound, and the straight ahead jazz direction of the album, guides the whole sound to - whom else - Toots Thielemans. Unlike the Belgian virtuoso however, Gazell plays diatonic instead of chromatic harmonica, something rather unusual for the demands of compositions with the complex harmonic structure that are found here, and without fail, reveal his performing virtuosity. 

This talent marks him as a modern master of harmonica, gives new interest to worn out songs ("Just You, Just Me", "What Is There to Say", "September Song") and urges us to acquaint ourselves with songs we seldom hear in the classic jazz repertory ("The Thumb", "Panhandle Rag", No, Not Much").
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PT Gazell & the side effects: Swingin 'Easy... Hittin ' Hard

(p) & © 2005 Miss Max Records
10 tks/42 mins
(PT Gazell - harmonica; Roger Spencer - bass; Chris Brown - drums; Andy Reiss - guitar; Kirby Shelstad - vibes;)




 Musicians who live in Tennessee are usually obligated to play Country music.  Specializing on the diatonic harmonica, PT Gazell paid tribute to this American Style of Music, by dedicating his debut album to Bluegrass. But who’s to say that a musician from Tennessee cannot also love jazz—which, by the way, is also American Music. On his new album Gazell convincingly demonstrates his version of jazz on the diatonic harmonica.
The amount of time between his two works is considerable. Gazell’s visits to the studio are not what you would call frequent. But, in this case the saying  better seldom, than never is justified. Swingin ' Easy...Hittin’ Hard, sounds as if it were specially made to illustrate the possibilities that are hidden in swing jazz. From the first track to the last, the album is very warm, very optimistic, and has a genuine jazz atmosphere. Playing on an instrument not widespread in jazz, and using other not so standard instruments to round out the quartet, (along with harmonica, the soloists are guitar and vibes,) PT Gazell has refused the safe route on all known and popular standards. For the most part, this project covers a wide range of material and songwriters, such as Wes Montgomery’s’ The Thumb, to Kurt Weils September Song but doesn’t leave the listener worn out.
The performance level of PT and his colleagues is rather high, and for the most part extremely interesting. In particular, the combination of harmonica and vibes is unusual and fresh. Until now, the idea of  harmonica in jazz  brings to mind only one name—that of the brilliant Belgian, Toots Thielemans. Now, one more name should be remembered: PT Gazell.

Leonid AUSKERN

© 2005 Jazz-Square
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There is always much controversy over what IS considered real Jazz and what is not. PT Gazell is not really a JAZZ player but he is playing standards on this record within a Jazz context. I know PT and he'd be the first one to tell you he ISN'T a 'Jazzer' but LOVES good simple "Swing".  So what does all this mean from a listeners point of view, it means we have a record that PT has appropriately titled.....no genres attached, just plain "to the point" Diatonic Harmonica interpreting some great standards within a small band jazz combo setting, Guitar, Vibes, Drums and Bass. PT is a superb player and brilliantly incorporates his years of playing with his love for 'Swing' music.
I should preface all this with saying that I was first introduced to PT Gazell's music a few decades ago on a debut album called "Pace Yourself", a Harmonica instrumental album of classic Bluegrass songs played by some of Nashville’s finest players. At the time is was virtually unheard of to use a Harmonica as a lead on this style of music, but PT had bigger ears and shocked a whole lot of people by his approach on that record. For anyone interested, that album WAS transferred to CD and is available with this NEW CD at the links I've listed below.
From a Harmonica Player's standpoint this new album covers some uncharted territory, PT is not using the Howard Levy style of 'Overblow' technique, but rather a regular diatonic harmonica that is 'half valved'. The valved technique allows him to execute the songs without switching harps. (Certain reeds are fitted with a plastic wind valve similar to the valves on a chromatic harmonica.)
What I dig most about PT is that he approaches his instrument as a MUSICIAN first and secondly as a harmonica player. In doing so he completely frees himself from all the "predictable harmonica" clichés that we've all come to know too well. Most impressive for me is PT's tasty "Phrasing" that really assists in the swinging...but even cooler is the diverse and unique repertoire he has chosen for the CD. His Musicianship as well as his song choices are impeccable. 
It's refreshing to hear great innovators on our instrument and PT always delivers, hopefully this will inspire other harp players to take chances and seek out material that works well on Diatonic. A must have for all serious players!
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