May 2023 | THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD
Hubub!
Ted Kooshian (Summit)
by Ken Dryden
Ted Kooshian is most widely known for playing electric keyboards in the Ed Palermo Big Band for over three decades, though in more recent years he has released a series of outstanding albums for Summit as a leader. This release is the latest, with Kooshian focusing on his original compositions and piano—his core band including John Bailey (trumpet), Jeff Lederer (tenor), Dick Sarpola (bass) and Greg Joseph (drums).
It’s hard to miss the influence of Thelonious Monk in “Hubub”, though Kooshian’s brisk playing makes it clear he has his own sound. “Sparkplug—She Came to Play”, named for his treasured dog, opens with a far-ranging solo piano introduction; it’s only as the band joins him that the familiar chord changes from the standard “Stella by Starlight” come into the picture, showcasing Bailey’s spirited trumpet. Kooshian’s fresh scoring of Leonard Bernstein’s “Somewhere” incorporates a unique rhythmic approach and blends the lush harmonies of Lederer and Bailey (on flugelhorn), spotlighting Sarpola’s fluid, understated bass. The uptempo, off-center vibe of “Tornetto” has an aura of early Ornette Coleman; the leader’s darting chords support strong solos by Bailey and Lederer, though the pianist’s feature takes things into more abstract territory. The lush ballad “Hymn for Her” adds vocalist Jim Mola (singing Judy Barnett’s heartfelt lyric), Katie Jacoby (violin) and Summer Boggess (cello). The breezy afro-Cuban flavor of “Desert Island Party” would get any crowd on its feet, with the pianist’s jaunty solo keeping the energy high. Kooshian switches to electric keyboards for his funky “McQueen”, with its somewhat ominous air suggesting a ‘70s suspense-film soundtrack.