Steve Bryant, first became aware to JSJBF listeners when he performed with his childhood friend, Chris Andreach and TriCity Jazz at one of our Reckless Steamy Nights. It was shortly after the COVID lockdown and we were starting to present live music again. During that time Steve was in the process of putting together the band Red 123 and subsequently working on this CD, New Town, which drops on January 10th. It was recorded at the Shorefire studios in Long Branch, a wise move by Steve. It was engineered by one of the best around, Joe Dimeo, resulting in an outstanding presentation of the eight tracks here. It includes seven originals, paired with a cover of Jimmy Webb’s “Wichita Lineman.” Steve drew on his strength as a musical educator, composer, and working musician, creating a vibrant group of songs that are influenced by two of the greatest jazz guitarists of our generation, Pat Metheny, and Lee Ritenour, who they had the privilege of opening for at the Vogel in April.
Steve has surrounded himself with a fine group of studio musicians, including Digba Ogunbiyi on piano, Cody McCorry on upright bass, Tom Cottone and Chris Parades on drums, Jeff Levine on organ, Rob Tanico on synth pad, organ pad and vibraphone synth and David Anthony on percussion. If that’s not enough, harmonica master Rob Paparozzi works his magic on the closing track, “Wichita Lineman.”
The opening number and title track, “New Town,” is a tasteful combination of Steve’s guitar phrasing on some outstanding runs, interspersed with Digba’s fine soloing and support, while Tom’s airy touch on the drums and Cody’s subdued bass lines hold it all together. With the understated addition of Rob’s synth pad and David’s percussion, this song a fine example of the old adage, less is more. On “There Will Be A Day,” Steve plays in a more pensive mood with only piano, bass, and drums behind him, and the band creates a dreamy aural effect that fits the tune. “Tom’s Blues” displays Steve’s prowess around the fretboard of a guitar without, as my good friend the late Jerry Topinka used to say, “getting lost in the solo.” With some fine piano work by Digba and superb fills by organ master Jeff Levine over the lively drumming by Tom, this song really cooks. “7 Wonders” leads off with some exquisite acoustic guitar by Steve, with the band joining in, and leads up to a vocal chant credited to Digba, on which he sings several harmonies, giving it a chorus like effect. “Blue Grey” is a song that washes over the listener, with Steve’s tasteful guitar surrounding Digba’s beautiful solos over a bed of percussion that carries the song. “Shuffle 96” displays some of Steve’s most intricate and pleasing solos while meshing well with Digba’s excellent piano, which has been a real revelation to me. This cat has some major chops. The penultimate tune, “A Change For Cody,” is a minor chord exercise that again highlights the skill level and precision the band plays at. The aforementioned cover of “Wichita Lineman,” is an eight plus minute opus that seems much shorter. This is one of the best interpretations of this song I have had the pleasure of hearing. The paring of Steve’s guitar with Rob’s harmonica on this well-chosen cover couldn’t have made for a better ending. Kudos to all the great musicians and the production that made this debut disc, what I think will be one of the best new jazz offerings of 2025.