by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
Artist: Chuck Loeb
Title: Presence
Release date: 05.01.07
Chuck Loeb set out on his long musical journey in his childhood by teaching himself to play the guitar. As a teenager, he expanded his knowledge by joining rock bands. Then he became interested in jazz guitar. Loeb knew he needed more training to achieve the level of artistry to which he aspired. So, he sought out famous teachers like Richie Hart and Hy White and jazz guru Dennis Sandole. This led to an apprenticeship with Jim Hall in New York City.
In 1979, Stan Getz invited Loeb to join his band. This gig was a pivotal career move for Loeb. He toured and recorded with Getz and also wrote most of Getz’s repertoire.
After recording many albums with Getz and as a solo artist, Loeb joined Heads Up International and released his latest CD, Presence, which takes the listener on a magical musical journey, showcasing Loeb’s tasty improvisations and compositions, including Steely Dan’s ‘Ricki Don’t Lose that Number’.
The album opens with ‘Good To Go!’, a modern jazz number with an uplifting theme, that Loeb greatly expands. Loeb’s intriguing arrangement of ‘Ricki Don’t Lose that Number’ follows. It’s a lush platform for Loeb to display his musicanship. On the sultry Latin number, ‘Llevame,’ with his wife, Spanish born vocalist/guitarist Carmon Cuesta-Loeb on vocals. This up-tempo Latin song is a pleasant surprise and makes the listener crave more Latin rhythms in Loeb’s work.
If fact, I was disappointed the whole album wasn’t created in the Latin mode. Still, Loeb is an exemplary player with a strong sense of melody and the skill to develop his improvisations in an intelligent way, as opposed to playing scales as a bridge to get to the more significant notes. The CD is impeccably recorded with the brilliant piano stylings of Matt King prominent in the mix.
‘Mr. Martino’ is Loeb’s tribute to legendary guitarist Pat Marino. The song grooves with King and bassist Brian Killeen, with drummer Josh Dion. Loeb’s rework of James Taylor’s ‘Shed a Little Light’ ends the session with some of Loeb’s most poignant improvising. Although Loeb is a disciplined craftsman, he hasn’t forgotten to let it all hang out with some unexpected single note runs and octaves that accent the music with ballsy affect.
Loeb will be performing live at the Wyndham Riverwalk Hotel Ballroom Saturday, May 5th. Loeb and his band take the stage at 9:00 pm. Call 1-866-468-7630 for ticket information.
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