THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO SWING VOL. II
Some years ago a music critic friend of mine was introducing me to the state of the art rhythm section in a major Second City of the Midwest. “This is the best bassist and drummer in town,” he said, with a hint of arrogance. “The best this side of New York.”

All I could think was, “The best this side of Michigan.” After spending dozens of hours of listening to Pete Siers and Paul Keller, live and on record, I’m on solid ground stating that this duo stands with the very best in the genre of jazz rhythm sections.

Drummer Pete Siers has produced this new album featuring his trio with Keller on string bass and Larry Fuller on piano, and one additional track featuring an entirely different lineup. The resumes of all involved are quite spectacular. Pete Siers and Paul Keller have been mainstays in the Detroit/ Ann Arbor area for a generation. Paul and Pete have played together for over 23 years in numerous settings. Together, they’ve performed with Marian McPartland, Mulgrew Miller, James Moody and many other top shelf musicians. Keller leads the 15-piece Paul Keller Orchestra, the 7-piece Paul Keller Ensemble and operates his own record label, PKO Records.

Siers and Keller have played many times with Larry Fuller. Fuller, also a Midwesterner, has established himself as a world-class jazz pianist firmly rooted in the hard swinging traditions of mainstream jazz. He has performed with Ernestine Anderson, Jeff Hamilton, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Phil Woods, and the Ray Brown Trio. Besides the geographic ties, it’s a love of”music that swings” that connects these three musicians. Hence, the title of this album.

Pete Siers is well known for his work with piano trios. His last trio album, Those Who Choose to Swing, was released five years ago. Larry Fuller is the pianist on this new CD due to Pete’s respect for his concept, approach to the music, and their shared love of the Great American Songbook.

Siers heads up the Cal Tjader-esque quintet, Los Gatos. He also performs with the Paul Keller Orchestra, the Easy Street Jazz Band, the Tad Weed Freedom Ensemble, the Ellen Rowe Quartet and the Marcus Belgrave Octet. Pete has recorded and toured with guitarist Russell Malone and has played with many jazz legends including Frank Morgan, Lee Konitz and Benny Golson.

This recording entertains the listener through carefully chosen and meticulously recorded tunes. Deep roots of many important straight ahead jazz trios are evident. The recording itself is artfully done. The timbres are bright and refreshing. The playing is endlessly expressive and spontaneous.

Here are a few highlights of this session: Larry Fuller’s range of emotions from the stride intro of Swingin’ ‘The Blues, to his light, blazing runs on Paul Horn’s Ecstasy, to his introverted mood on Never Let Me Go. Then, there’s Paul Keller’s woody resonance on string bass. We get treated to his melodic reading of Melancholy Baby, his superbly inventive interpretation of Mood Indigo via a drums/bass duet, and excellent solos throughout.

Pete Siers is a subtle leader. Listening repeatedly to this recording yields sublime results. Check out his tasteful solos on The Honeydripper and Sunday. But it’s in Siers’ accompaniment that the real magic is revealed. Listen to the easy swing throughout the album, the constant forward motion that provides the other musicians with a solid foundation of rhythm, a perpetual cycle of action prompting reaction, in turn reacting again and propelling Larry and Paul further. Louisiana or Bill Evans’ Very Early are good illustrations of this interplay but it’s really apparent on every tune.

Siers’ sense of time is impeccably hip. Hear Pete’s framework for Paul Keller’s solo on Ray Brown’s When You Go, starting at the 2:05 mark. Count the time, if you will. Often, beat one is not stated, only implied, as Pete Siers becomes a veritable Fred Astaire of the drum set, skittering gracefully beneath Keller’s solo. Exquisite.

Finally, Charlie’s Tune - a beautiful jazz waltz with music composed by pianist Ellen Rowe and lyrics by vocalist Sunny Wilkinson. Both are featured on this track. Kurt Krahnke plays bass on this selection. A tribute to Pete’s son, the lyrics to Charlie’s Tune are sweet confection as sung by Sunny. Again, hear Siers’ playing beneath the melody, during the piano solo. His brush work is so delicate; with the splash of a cymbal, one imagines the father giving his baby a bath. And the listener is left, in puddles.

I’m so glad you have this album. I hope you get the treat of listening to Pete Siers live, because you’ll have the experience of watching a man live out his dreams, playing the music he loves with authentic passion, craftsmanship and joy.

Mike Stratton 2004
(Mike Stratton hosts the radio program “The Vinyl Side of Midnight”
on WLNZ 89. 7fm, Lansing, MI. Contact Mike at dreamtrane@aol.com)