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Bill Anschell: When Cooler Heads Prevail

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Everybody likes jazz. Perhaps it’s more accurate to say that people are afraid to not like jazz. Some people admit they don’t “really get into it,” but no one ever seems to come out and hate it the way that, say, some people hate country music, rap music or punk music.

No, everybody likes a little jazz, and they’ve got the selections in their collection to prove it. “Well, I love Kind of Blue...and I’ve got this really good jazz compilation CD with some Louis Armstrong and that one Dave Brubeck song.”

For those whom the bug bites harder, the CD rack is soon stuffed with Tranes and Birds, early Mingus and late Monk. As with any genre, there are plenty of obvious cornerstones and milestones that are must-haves. But then what?

Jazz aficionados and beginners alike should be impressed by Bill Anschell’s new release When Cooler Heads Prevail. The follow-up to 1998’s A Different Note Altogether (one of UPI’s 10 Best Jazz Recordings for that year) is a consistently pleasing album featuring Anschell’s firmly rooted jazz piano featured in a trio with two alternating bassists and ear-grabbing percussionist Woody Williams.

Anschell is impressive in his vision toward both past and future, reworking old-time folk songs and also creating classic-sounding originals of his own. He breathes sweet new life into traditional tunes like “Dear Old Stockholm” and “Angels Watching Over Me.” Other highlights include his own “Undercurrent Event” and “No Hurry”; the first propellant, the latter pristine.

While Anschell provides the classic touch, it’s Williams who gives the album much of its distinguishing taste. Bassists Neal Starkey and Rodney Jordan are also both more than capable, but Williams’ work on showcase tracks like “Undercurrent Event” and “Woody’s Turn” infuses the album with a deeper, heavier energy. Williams uses everything at his disposal to get the job done, from the bongo to the kono to the cowbell (and, of course, back to the drumset).

Anschell and Williams were both heavily involved with the Grammy-nominated work of jazz artist Nnenna Freelon, while Williams and Jordan were both featured on Russell Gunn’s Grammy-nominated Ethnomusicology. At this rate, it may not be too long before the trio secures a nomination of their own.

For more information, or to order When Cooler Heads Prevail, visit http://www.summitrecords.com

For Bill Anschell’s website, visit http://www.mindspring.com/~billanschell

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