Too often nowadays jazz is associated with elevator music. Well, Everyday Magic, the second album from Nashville native, Rahsaan Barber, sure ain’t elevator music.
Barber studied music at University of Indiana under the esteemed David Baker. Along with his twin brother, Roland, Barber was named after jazz great Rahsaan Roland Kirk. He lists Stanley Turrentine and John Coltrane among his influences. Having earned his Masters in music at The Manhattan School of Music, Barber has taught at Belmont University and is one of four Americans to perform at the 2003 World saxophone Competition at the Montreaux Jazz Festival.
Everyday Magic was recorded in Nashville – Music City USA. Nashville may be forever associated with country music, but let me tell you, they have some cats down there that can blow. The band, also called Everyday Magic, consists of Barber on tenor, alto and soprano sax as well as flute; Adam Agati on guitar, Jody Nardone on piano, Jerry Navarro on bass (and what a tasty bottom end he plays) and Nioshi Jackson on the skins. Roland Barber is on trombone on two hot tracks, as is percussionist Giovanni Rodriguez. The album is released on Rahsaan’s newly formed Jazz Music City label.
Everyday Magic is laid out to display Rahsaan’s virtuosity on all the saxes and flute, as well as his various influences. It opens with "Jubilee," a bopping tenor-showcase tune. The first thing that becomes apparent is Rahsaan’s articulation on whatever instrument he features. It matters not how fast the tune; the clarity of the notes is what's most amazing. This tune just grooves and brings back memories of John Coltrane or Kenny Garrett.
The next two tunes are in remembrance of the 2010 Nashville flood victims, “Lost and Found” is kind of a tone poem that brings to mind a jumble of debris crashing down the maelstrom, while “Floodsong” is more avant-garde and bluesy. Rahsaan gives the tenor a workout that few players can manage.
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