Personnel:
Jeb Patton (p), Santi de la Rubia (ts), Ignasi González (b), Roger Gutierrez (d)
Reference: FSRCD 5134
Bar code: 8427328651349
Official release date: February 28th, 2025
Jeb Patton has earned a distinguished reputation in the international jazz community. Gifted with exquisite technique, commanding swing, and a profoundmelodic commitment, he has made a lasting impact on the contemporary jazz scene.
Under the mentorship of Sir Roland Hanna and Jimmy Heath, Jeb earned his Master of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in 1997 from the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, City University of New York. During his studies, he was also honored with the Louis Armstrong Award for Composition by the ASCAP Foundation.
Since graduating, Jeb has toured extensively across the United States and abroad with the Heath Brothers and Jimmy Heath’s Generations Quintet, performing in theaters, festivals, concert halls, colleges, and jazz clubs. Since moving to New York in 1996, Jeb has collaborated with esteemed musicians such as Charles McPherson, The Jimmy Heath Big Band, The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Big Band, The Dizzy Gillespie All Stars, George Coleman, the Faddis/Hampton/Heath Sextet, James Moody, Jeremy Pelt, Mike Mossman, Lewis Nash, Antonio Hart, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Barbara Cook, Jessye Norman, Frank Wess, Dmitry Baevsky, Grant Stewart, Mike Karn, Joe Magnarelli, Lew Tabackin, Jerry Weldon, Sachal Vasandani, Pete Van Nostrand, Roberta Gambarini, Rodney Green, David Wong, Winard Harper, Diego Urcola, Peter and Will Anderson, Willie Jones III, and Marlene Ver Planck, as well as leading his own trio.
This recording, made in Barcelona during Jeb Patton’s quartet tour of Spain in May 2022, features the pianist accompanied by three top Spanish jazz musicians: Santi de la Rubia, Ignasi Gonzalez and Roger Gutierrez. Jeb Patton plays with fullness, strength, and remarkable range. His touch and the intelligent development of his musical ideas make him a pianist with a truly unique voice. Jeb breathes fresh life into time-honored jazz standards, making them sound vibrant and exciting once again.
—Jordi Pujol
"It is likely that anyone reading these notes is already enjoying this new release by American pianist Jeb Patton. At first glance, itmight seem like just another Hard Bop album—a style that remains central to the mainstream of jazz. However, a closer listen reveals that this work transcends such an impression, reclaiming the classical as a vibrant and relevant language capable of conveying universal emotions into our present.
The album, comprised primarily of standards ranging from ballads tomedium-tempo pieces, stands out for both its impeccable repertoire selection and the variety of approaches it offers. From the Coltrane inspired depth of 'Take the Coltrane' to the emotional sensitivity of 'Darn That Dream,' each track highlights the expressive potential of classic jazz. Pieces like 'Cheesecake,' 'Solar,' 'My Heart Stood Still,' and 'Whisper Not' not only reflect refined taste but also form a coherent whole that gives the album a clear and timeless identity.
Accompanied by Santi de la Rubia on saxophone, Ignasi González on bass, and Roger Gutiérrez on drums, Jeb Patton reminds us how traditional jazz continues to be relevant.His interpretation connects the past, present, and future, securing a place of honor for this ever-evolving musical language."
—Josep Ramon Jové (From the inside liner notes)
