State Of Emergency

Nat Reeves has built a successful career touring the world with some of the most important figures in jazz in the last half-century, beginning with Sonny Stitt, most importantly in a role in Jackie McLean's band that lasted until McLean's passing, and more recently as the primary bassist for Curtis Fuller, Pharoah Sanders, and Kenny Garrett. While not on tour, Reeves is a long-standing professor of jazz at the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School in Hartford, CT. With State of Emergency, Reeves steps from the sidelines to center stage to lead an accomplished ensemble through a program of lively straight-ahead jazz. In a set comprised mostly of standards, and some less familiar classics, the tunes are played with the relaxed buoyancy that becomes possible when musicians know each other well. That familiarity comes as a pleasant surprise given that two members of the group are relative newcomers. Drummer Jonathan Barber and trumpeter Josh Bruneau studied under Reeves at the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, and immediately made their presence felt on the scene. Both players demonstrate chops beyond their years on this record. Veteran New York City pianist Rick Germanson, a long-time associate of Nat's, rounds out the ensemble. Nat Reeves was born in Lynchburg, Virginia and by age 24 was in New York City, performing in small jazz clubs and at jam sessions. In addition to touring and his professorship at Hartt, he presents workshops with the likes of Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Peter Erskine and Tom Scott. He also performs and records regularly with Ren McLean, Harold Mabern, Steve Davis, Eric Alexander, David Hazeltine, Houston Person, Larry Willis, Eddie Henderson, Joe Farnsworth, Randy Johnston, Javon Jackson, and Benny Green, to name a few..