Jazz organist Vince Seneri is one of several Hammond B-3 practitioners on the scene today making their way in the post-Jimmy Smith era. Seneri, who played accordion as a youngster, fell under the spell of organ legend Smith and is doing his part in keeping the Jazz organ sound alive.
On his fourth release as a leader, the New Jersey native has surrounded himself with a powerful group of players, namely David "Fathead" Newman and Houston Person on sax, Grammy award-winning flutist Dave Valentin, and his regular band mates Bob DeVos on guitar, Gary Fritz on percussion, and Buddy Williams on drums.
Seneri provides some tasty moments, but for the most part, hangs back and gives the other players lots of room to expound. The straight-ahead set includes a variety of standards, including "Unchain My Heart," made famous by Ray Charles and featuring, of course, Charles's saxophonist David Newman, and the incomparable Dave Valentin on "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise."
Houston Person shines on "These Foolish Things Remind Me of You." Seneri contributes two original compositions, one dedicated to Smith entitled "Steamrollin'."
by Linda Goshay
Jazz Now Interactive September 2005 Vol 15 No. 5 - Table of Contents
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