Bledsoe: Knoxville jazz and country in good shape

"Tenors & Satin: The Knoxville Jazz Session," Various Artists (www.knoxjazzfest.org)

Knoxville's jazz community is not particularly large, which makes the amount of talent contained in it all the more astounding. Produced by pianist/composer Donald Brown (who also performs on the disc), "Tenors & Satin" was created to help fund the Knoxville Jazz Festival, and it acts as showcase of Knoxville's jazz scene. The Nu Jazz Fourtet, Jerry Coker, The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, Boling, Brown and Holloway, Wendel Werner, The Streamliners, the Ben Dockery Trio and vocalists Sharon Mosby, Sanda Allyson, Kelle Jolly, Emily Mathis, Patty Coker and Jack Rentfro all have some fine moments on the disc.

However, one of the real coups is capturing Knoxville's great tenor saxophonists Bill Scarlett, Rocky Wynder and Lance Owens together on two tracks. Donald Brown composed the title track specifically for the three players. The trio's senior citizen status has not diminished their chops and the players' feel for melody and tasteful playing is inspiring.

The disc ends with "When You Come Again," performed by Patty Coker and Jerry Coker, backed by the Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church. It was Jerry Coker who began the University of Tennessee Jazz program, which trained many of the younger artists featured on "Tenors & Satin." That, in itself, makes the project special, but "Tenors and Satin" would be special regardless.

"As Is," Sanda Allyson (http://www.myspace.com/sandaallyson)

Vocalist Sanda Allyson is one of the sweetest vocal imports into the city. After a promising career in the Los Angeles area, Allyson found her place in Knoxville a few years ago and performs regularly at Purada. Allyson's long overdue debut disc, "As Is," pairs her with keyboardists Keith Brown and Matt Coker (individually on different numbers) and bassist Taylor Coker for a lovably simple and sweet 11-track set of standards. The spare, yet sensitive, accompaniment is the perfect fit. It allows listeners to appreciate how pure and clean Allyson's vocals can be.

While the music can be upbeat, as on the slinky "In the Morning," Allyson is most impressive on the quietest numbers. The tracks "For All We Know" and "Maybe You'll Be There" are gorgeous and delicate - yet, what nails the songs is that Allyson's voice is so strong and sure. She obviously has the chops to deliver these songs however she wants and maturity to not try to wow listeners at every turn.

Hopefully, "As Is," is the first of many releases to follow.

"Walking Tall Through High Weeds," Sarah Pirkle (http://www.myspace.com/sandaallyson)

Sarah Pirkle has been one of the most promising real country music artists in East Tennessee for years. She a fine singer and fiddler and the sort of songwriter who can create something that sounds commercial, but still has some heart and soul. Best known as half of the duo Jeff Barbra and Sarah Pirkle (and Barbra is featured on guitar and harmony vocals on this album), but the emphasis on this disc is purely on Pirkle.

One of Pirkle's strengths is her sense of contrast. She opens the disc with the upbeat and inspiring title track and follows with the unrequited love song "February" and near the end of the disc delivers "For One More Breath," a spooky Appalachian ballad of a coal mining tragedy that sounds as if it could've been written 100 years ago. Delivered with only vocals and fiddle, it's chilling and remarkable.

Pirkle creates the type of country music that made fans love country music in the first place. Country radio make take note.

Wayne Bledsoe may be reached at 865-342-6444 or bledsoew@knoxville.com. He is also the host of "All Over the Road" midnight Saturdays to 4 a.m. Sundays on WDVX-FM.

© 2010, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!

© 2010 Knoxville.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.