This is Canadian guitarist Jocelyn Gould’s second own-name album. Her first, Elegant Traveler, was released in 2020 and the following year was winner of the Juno Award for Jazz Album of the Year – Solo. Gould’s fluent playing flows with seemingly effortless swing, her imaginative solos filled with moments that drive home her qualities as an inventive improviser.
Fellow Canadian, pianist Will Bonness, who played in Maynard Ferguson’s band, is a sound accompanist and his several solos demonstrate his similarly inventive talent as an improviser. Bassist Rodney Whitaker and drummer Quincy Davis, both of whom are American and composers, are very good accompanists – Whitaker rock-solid, Davis crisp and driving. Together they provide the group with firm support and both also have well-taken solo moments. Whitaker has played with many groups, mainly jazz but also classical, and Davis with numerous leading figures of the jazz world. On his three appearances, saxophonist Jon Gordon, who is also American, takes solos that are engagingly melodic.
All the musicians collaborating here are teachers. A graduate of Michigan State and Manitoba universities, at present Gould is head of the guitar department at Humber College, Toronto. Gordon and Boness are faculty members at the University of Manitoba, Whitaker at the University of Michigan and Julliard School of Music and Davis formerly at the University of Manitoba and more recently the University of North Texas.
Four of the 10 tracks are familiar: Cliff Burwell’s Sweet Lorraine, Sigmund Romberg’s Lover Come Back To Me, Willard Robison and Larry Conley’s A Cottage For Sale and Ann Ronell’s Willow Weep For Me. The others are all original compositions by Gould and include introspective and bouncy pieces. On three tracks, Gould adds vocal lines that are not displeasing and do not get in the way of her remarkable instrumental talent. Available on line, Golden Hour is also offered as a CD. Recommended, especially for fans and players of the guitar.
Discography
Golden Hour; Horizons; Serendipity; Sweet Lorraine; Gemini; Lover Come Back To Me; A Cottage For Sale; Willow Weep For Me; Tides Are Turning; Bright Note (60.47)
Gould (g, v on Horizons; Serendipity; A Cottage For Sale); Jon Gordon (saxophones on Horizons; Serendipity; Bright Now); Will Bonness (p); Rodney Whitaker (b); Quincy Davis (d). Winnipeg, Manitoba, 23, 24 November 2019.
jocelyngould.com
