Take 5 with Jordan VanHemert
Did you ever wonder what your favorite musicians are listening to, or the recordings that influenced them? “Take Five” is a look at the music that inspires and excites them. It’s difficult to choose ONLY five recordings!
Saxophonist, composer, and educator Jordan VanHemert has four critically acclaimed releases to his credit, and his fifth, “Survival Of The Fittest,” features an all-star group: Terell Stafford, Michael Dease, Helen Sung, Rodney Whitaker, and Lewis Nash. Born in Korea and raised in Michigan, VanHemert makes music rooted in the jazz tradition and guided by a resolute political consciousness, illuminating issues of race and social justice. With a penchant for modern, swinging melodicism, he pays homage to his Korean roots while drawing on the blues-infused hard bop tradition handed down to him by his mentors.
“Yes, it feels difficult to pick just 5 records," says VanHemert, “But hey, where's the fun in turning down a challenge?”
Sonny Side Up - Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie (Verve)
It's difficult to pick just one album by these three masters, as each of their discographies is rife with treasured recordings...so why not pick one that features all three? This record is one of those incredible works of art for me that I could not stop listening to. I love the juxtaposition of putting Sonny Stitt and Sonny Rollins together and their two distinct approaches to the tenor saxophone; the fireworks of Stitt and the compositional approach of Rollins. It was from learning the Rollins solo on "On the Sunny Side of the Street" that I really started to dig into his motivic, compositional approach to improvisation; his conversationalism is something I aspire to. The Stitt solo on the same tune is one of my favorite openings to a solo--iconic! Both solos on the Eternal Triangle really got me into the fact that often, jazz improvisation is most readily characterized by the how and the why, not just the what. The rhythm section here is also just so swingin' throughout the entire record. I think that Charlie Persip, in particular, is criminally underrated. Dizzy vocal chorus on "On the Sunny Side of the Street" never fails to make me smile. .
Pursuance: The Music of John Coltrane - Kenny Garrett Quartet (Warner Brothers)
When I first heard this record, I was 14 or so years old. I went to the library to check out some CDs. I saw the striking cover image, and I was immediately drawn in. Ever since then, Kenny Garrett has been one of my favorite musicians and a key influence in my music. His sound alone cuts straight through to your heart, and the way he shapes these tunes and makes them his own is a real highlight. Not to be missed, the rhythm section of Pat Metheny, Rodney Whitaker, and Brian Blade is in tip-top shape. Rodney's bass playing, in particular, really sets the vibe of this record for me. I love the more energetic tracks like "Liberia" and "Countdown", but to me, "Dear Lord" and "Alabama" send me to another plane of existence entirely. This music is spiritual. It requires your whole being.
Visions - Melissa Aldana (Motéma Music)
Melissa Aldana is a constant inspiration to me--from Crash Trio to 12 Stars to Echoes of the Inner Prophet, but this is the record of hers that started it all for me. I have always loved her approach to the saxophone, but what captivates me about this album is her writing. I love all of the richly crafted harmony as well as the textural contrasts her band creates from having the incredible Joel Ross and Sam Harris on vibraphone and piano. The first time I listened to this record, I was so enthralled that I lost track of the time and listened to the whole thing in one sitting...and then I listened to it again. Lastly, but certainly not least, Aldana's exploration of her own identity and her inspiration from Frida Kahlo have inspired me to create music that explores my own identity and the Asian Americans who have come before me.
In Harmony - Roy Hargrove and Mulgrew Miller (Resonance Records)
Two musicians who left us far too soon. I have always loved Roy's playing, and contained within his discography are some of my favorite records--I could easily fill a Take 5 with just Roy's recordings. He truly was a genius, and he really shines in the duo setting. You can hear every subtlety in his phrasing right up close. He wastes nothing--not a note, not an inflection. In general, I have always loved duo recordings for the intimacy and interplay--anything can happen. With someone like Mulgrew Miller at the piano, it is so special to hear. It's like the two can read each other's minds. In Mulgrew's piano playing, you can hear the deep roots of the music...he's got it all--soul, swing, power, the blues. And as far as language--there are things that Mulgrew plays that are so unique to him...things that only Mulgrew plays. Put the two together, and it's just magic. Their rendition of "I Remember Clifford" will take your heart, break it, and put it back together all over again.
Cannonball Adderley Quintet Live in Chicago (AKA Cannonball and Coltrane) (Limelight)
This record is everything to me. The energy and velocity of Coltrane paired with Adderley's straight up swing and melodicism--Wynton Kelly's comping--it's all inimitable. "Limehouse Blues" is blistering and sets the record off to an exciting start...and then the record never lets you down. "Stars Fell on Alabama" is an absolute masterpiece, and Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb are in lock step. The interplay between the quintet is something to behold. What a beautiful recording. I wore this one out. It is truly timeless.
Selected Discography
Survival Of the Fittest (Origin)
Deep In The Soil (Origin)
Nomad (Origins)
Stages Of Han
I Am Not A Virus
Web: Jordan VanHemert
Instagram: JvanheMusic
Facebook: JvanheMusic
YouTube: JordanVanHemert - YouTube
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