Robert Hurst Releases Unrehurst, Vol. 2

by Kevin Johnson Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Jazz bassist Robert Hurst has released Unrehurst, Vol. 2, a straight-ahead trio album featuring pianist Robert Glasper and drummer Chris Dave. As the names suggests, the CD was recorded in 2007 without any rehearsals at Smoke in New York City, though that’s not how the jazz veteran had planned it. A taped-off crime scene prevented him from checking in to his hotel, and a snowstorm delayed Dave, leaving the group to first perform together on stage. Judging by the chemistry in their playing, you wouldn’t know it were it not for the title.

This is his sixth album as a band leader, but the bassist has been on the scene since 1980. Hurst’s career includes extensive work with Wynton Marsalis, being a founding member of the Tonight Show band, and recording with a plethora of artists, which he claims helped him grow as a musician.

“That kind of thing isn’t always as spiritually rewarding as playing what you want to do,” he explains, “but it’s a cool challenge to be exposed to all those different types of music. I learned a lot.”