Sharel Cassity

Gratitude

Sunnyside

Saxophonist and woodwindist Sharel Cassity’s new release, Gratitude, is a joyous, celebratory endeavor. She features an incomparable lineup – multiple  Grammy Award-winning bassist and composer Christian McBride,  drummer Lewis Nash, and pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Joining her on he front line are trumpeter Terell Stafford and Cassity’s longtime collaborator and mentor, trombonist Michael Dease.

Gratitude brims with infectious hooks, emotionally uplifting and nuanced improvisation, and astute arrangements from these band members. Growing up, Okie Cassity points to one album as her major inspiraation, McBride’s Gettin’ to It. Since  moving to New York City in 2000, which she called home until briefly relocating to Qatar in 2015, she progressed to the point where she realized her goal of playing alongside each member of the rhythm section featured on McBride’s album. Cassity decided to assemble that same rhythm section—McBride, Nash, and Chestnut here, another goal realized.

Though never recording with all three of them on one project, she has recorded with Nash and Chestnut, who appeared on her 2014 Venus Records release, Manhattan Romance, with Rufus Reid. She also toured with McBride’s big band in Aspen in 2009.  Cassity first met Nash in a masterclass while she was a student at Juilliard, and not long after, performed with him professionally in 2008 in the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band. The All-Star Big Band, of which Cassity became a member in 2009, was also where Cassity met Chestnut, who quickly became a mentor. After that period of performing in the big band together, Cassity toured Japan with Nash’s big band, which included Chestnut, Steve Wilson, and Terell Stafford.

Cassity’s roots are in classical music, which today informs her proficiency on her instruments, as well as her ability to imbue melodies—whether her own or from a standard—with a unique depth of artistry. At age 10, she placed third in the Disney International Piano Concerto Competition, and was offered a full scholarship to North Texas State University for classical saxophone at 18. She instead attended the University of Oklahoma, then later earned a BFA in jazz and contemporary music from The New School in 2005, before enrolling at Juilliard on a full scholarship for a master’s in music. She graduated in 2007.

Through these shared experiences, Gratitude celebrates both community and mentorship. Opener “Magnetism” begins with a powerful launch from the rhythm section before the three-horn front line states the melody, yielding to the leader’s bright alto solo, and expressive turns from Dease and Stafford. Chestnut keeps the motor churning, prodded on by McBride’s robust bassline and Nash’s kinetic kitwork. On the eights, the band gives those two a few shining bars as well. Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile”settles into more lyrical territory with a gorgeous melody initiated by Cassity, essentially fronting the rhythm section. Chestnut is especially effervescent while building his solo, passing the baton to McBride who shows why he is leading bassist not just in terms of ridiculous technique but unmatched lyricism. Richard D. Johnson’s “Stick Up” swings from the get-go and Cassity’s tone on this boppish piece evokes the great Charles McPherson to these ears. McBride displays his chops once again. The soulful “Suspect” is another Johnson piece, this time with the other horns joining her in the ensemble head. First turn goes to the fiery Stafford, followed by Cassity, a most expressive Dease, and Chestnut’s uncanny rhythmic piano runs.

Cassity credits the support and mentorship of the late Jimmy Heath in helping her craft the lilting melody for the title track, where she joyously takes flight along with Chestnut. “Kenny’s Quest” is a burning alto excursion, perhaps in the spirit of the great Kenny Garrett. Once again, Chestnut’s rollicking piano solo is swinging hard, inspiring a whirlwind take from Nash before Cassity returns in potent fashion, bringing the piece to an explosive finale. She switches to clarinet on the heartfelt “The Promise,” composed for her young son. The closing “In The Spirit,” inspired by Joshua Redman, has her back on alto, fronting the rhythm trio as she does on most of these tracks. Tonally and rhythmically, it forms a kind of bookend to the opener in terms of its glorious uplift with the individual voices of Cassity, and her rhythm mates coming through distinctly.

Gratitude glows with uncompromising joy. Put this on when you need to lift your spirits.

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