Brian Lynch 7X7BY7

October 10, 2024

BRIAN LYNCH

7X7BY7

Holistic MusicWorks

Brian Lynch, trumpet; Craig Handy, tenor saxophone; Luis Perdomo, piano; Boris Kozlov, bass; Alex Wintz, guitar; Kyle Swan, drums; Murph Aucamp, percussion.

This music was conceived during the time of the pandemic. Multi-Grammy Award winning trumpeter, Brian Lynch, is celebrating the number 7. He has employed seven musicians (including himself). They have recorded seven tunes, with each one about seven minutes in length. Lynch invites us to his mystical, magical number of seven, as played by and made for seven: “7X7by7.”

“Due to the skill, creativity and diligence in the studio of the six other musicians, both old friends and newer ones, we were able to really say something musically while working within the parameters of the project,” Lynch is exuberant about this release.

They open with Luis Perdomo’s piano chording rubato, to leave this listener with great expectations. The tune unfolds titled, “In the Riv (7×3)” as a slow swing with high energy infused by the horn harmonics, as well as Kyle Swan’s funky drum licks. Craig Handy steps into the spotlight on his tenor saxophone and improvises with punch and power. Then Alex Wintz comes forward on guitar to beautifully explore his own creativity. All the songs on this album are composed by the multi-talented Brian Lynch. They represent not only the number seven, but specific times in his life. This tune recalls driving down to the college jazz festival in the back of Tony King’s Buick Riveira, Lynch recalls in liner notes.

Track #2 explodes with more group energy and a catchy melody. It’s called “High Point of the Hang,” written to express the trumpeter’s life on-the-road, expressions of playing and touring all over the globe and loving it. Murph Aucamp shines on percussion during this arrangement. Below is a live performance at Smalls Club in NYC back in 2021 with a slightly different quintet, but still on fire.

A tune called “Academy Blues (7×8)” represents the Lynch journey into higher education, both blessings and sacrifices. Lynch feels the real teachers are his students. Lynch currently holds a faculty position at the University of Miami, New York University, and the North Netherlands Conservatory. He also taught at the Stanford Jazz Workshop, as well as several other workshops at major institutions of learning across the globe.

His sexy, bluesy tune called “Greeting on 87^th St” becomes another one of my favorites. Lynch says it’s dedicated to at last finding real love and someone to live life with fully. Lynch is generous, giving each member of his group time to shine. I remember Lynch from his time playing with Charles McPherson in San Diego from 1980 to 1981. He always played with great sincerity.

In February of 2007, Lynch and Eddie Palmieri won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz album and in January of 2020 Lynch, along with his Brian Lynch big Band won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble album. This album continues his legacy of great recordings. Brian Lynch displays awesome style and technique on trumpet. He surrounds himself with continuous and admirable groups of musicians who inspire, as well as adding his composing credits that are innovative and entertaining. The release date of this awesome album is October 25, 2024.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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