Simple Song (album)
Simple Song is a contemporary jazz album by saxophonist Ben Wendel, released on March 24, 2009. The album features a collection of neo-bop jazz compositions.
Guest musicians on the album include pianists Tigran Hamasyan, Taylor Eigsti, and Adam Benjamin, with guitarist Larry Koonse, bassist Darek Oleszkiewicz, and drummer Nate Wood.
Reception
Michael Nastos of AllMusic wrote, "these are complex, intricate composed pieces requiring a good deal of rehearsal, and it sounds like they got them right for the recording session. With a combined sense of ease interacting and a great sense of teamwork, this band brings to life a set of heady compositions perfectly suited for the time period at the end of the 2000s." Raul d'Gama Rose, writing for All About Jazz, described the album as "anything but simple in its approach to the idiom of jazz, Wendel sweep across a sonic landscape with invention thus been able to create a tonal palette of seemingly epic proportions as he pushes his reeds on an endless, dancing journey."Track listing
All tracks are written by Ben Wendel except where noted.Personnel
- Ben Wendel – tenor saxophone, bassoon, melodica
- Tigran Hamasyan, Taylor Eigsti – piano
- Adam Benjamin – piano, Rhodes piano
- Larry Koonse – guitar
- Darek Oleszkiewicz – bass
- Nate Wood – drums
Production
- Mike Aarvold – audio engineer / tracking
- Joe Gastwirt – mastering
- Steve Wood – mixing
- Kim Fox – photography
- Paul R. Rivera Design – layout design
- François Zalacain – executive producer