Enjoying some 25 years as a highly respected sideman on the New York circuit, and a regular performer at Greenwich Village's popular 55 Bar, multi-faceted jazz guitarist Pete McCann brings his fifth solo album to Whirlwind Recordings.
'Range' is a quintet recording of all-new material which distils his vast experience of working alongside some of jazz's greatest artists, including Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz, David Liebman and Pete Erskine.
With an eclectic approach to his music-making (previous projects have encompassed straight-ahead jazz, Latin, fusion and contemporary classical), McCann now presents jazz/rock cornucopia 'Range', its title a metaphor for the breadth of his colourful musical career as well as the diversity of the sounds expressed so eloquently here with longstanding personnel of choice - John O'Gallagher (sax), Henry Hey (keys), Matt Clohesy (basses) and Mark Ferber (drums).
The ebullient grooves and staggering improvisational proficiency contained within McCann's peppy output point to a lifelong appreciation of guitar luminaries such as Wes Montgomery, Bill Frisell and John Scofield - yet he also reveals a no-holes-barred enthusiasm for the heavier, solid-body jazz/rock influence of Mike Stern, Allan Holdsworth and especially John McLaughlin (Pete was guitarist in convincing US tribute band The Mahavishnu Project, endorsed by the great man). Here, with his four trusted colleagues, McCann produces a compelling, immaculately-produced programme that radiates a passion for today's thriving, progressive jazz scene.
Personnel: Pete McCann (electric and acoustic guitars), John O'Gallagher (alto saxophone), Henry Hey (piano, Rhodes, organ), Matt Clohesy (double and electric bass), Mark Ferber (drums)
