Throughout history, jazz artists have rarely received the recognition they deserve.  Most achieve legendary status and universal respect only after their demise.  If there's any justice in this world, jazz-lovers will discover Wallace Roney and hoist him amongst the pantheon of giants.  Certainly worthy of regard as one of the planet's most accomplished trumpeters, the Miles Davis protege has been flying under the radar for the past few decades.  Local aficianados reaped the rewards of obscurity with two dazzling performances at a couple of our area's most intimate venues. 

     Going up against stratospheric expectations generated from last year's unforgettable Soho show, Roney responded by raising the bar even higher.  The vibe at Soho and the Mercury Lounge was completely different yet the septet's commitment to pushing the boundaries remained constant.  Song that were five minutes on the cd effortlessly turned into twenty-five.  Their focused approach allowed for boundless improvisation while never straying far from the essence of each composition. 

     Singing through his trumpet like a sparrow in spring, Roney soared across the scales.  Accompanied by his virtuosic bandmates, this was not to be a one-man show.  Drawing comparisons to the immortal John Coltrane, Wallace's brother Antoine transported us back to the glory days of jazz.  A big, powerful presence, the audience seemed to hold their breath as sheets of sound cascaded from his tenor or soprano sax.  Providing an interesting contrast with his unique tone was guest tenor player Azar Lawrence.  A wonderful addition both nights, his adventurous style and jovial spirit escorted us through a rainforest of moods.

     Introduced with great sincerity by Roney as the best drummer of all time, Eric Allen was clearly tapped in to a deep source of inspiration.  Like a human bonfire, he smoldered under the groove provoking the soloists to boil over the brim.  Bassist Clarence Seay has been playing with Roney since high school and it shows.  It was no easy task to anchor the band once they ascended into the ethers.  Rounding things out was Adam Holtzman on keys and piano.  The versatile chap knew when to nail the gaps like Monk and when to conjure an atmospheric nether-world  like Zawinul.

      All the previously mentioned elements would account for one heck of a jazz performance but if you want to be groundbreaking try throwing a dj in with a hard bop band.  Elegantly poised behind her turntables with long, nimble fingers dancing on the vinyl, Val bridged the gap between past and the future.  Integrating sonic dynamics in unprecedented fashion, Wallace Roney and company are pioneering an exciting new paradigm in jazz.