Ben Wolfe Releases 10th Album, “Unjust”
Bassist Ben Wolfe has returned with a new solo album titled Unjust that is described as celebrating “the striking interplay between multiple ensembles driven by the same steadfast rhythm section.” The veteran jazz musician called on an incredible lineup of artists from different generations: trumpeter Nicholas Payton, saxophonists Immanuel Wilkins and Nicole Glover, vibraphonist Joel Ross, pianists Addison Frei and Orrin Evans, and drummer Aaron Kimmel.
“This project was a gathering of musicians I believed would find common ground with each other and would also find some magic within the ensemble,” Wolfe states. “I very much enjoyed the process and I’m extremely proud to present Unjust.”
Wolfe’s compositions play to each musician’s strengths from the opening track, “The Heckler,” that has Kimmel and the bandleader laying down a bright swing while Payton masterfully crafts a sonic story from his horn. Tthe New York Times described Wolfe’s writing as “Mingus and Miles Davis meet Bartok and Bernard Herrmann.”
The track “Sideways” presents some Thelonious Monk vibes mixed with bass great Oscar Pettiford. After a somewhat quirky melody, Wolfe and Ross play a complex unison line outlining the changes.
Unjust is available now on CD and as a digital download (iTunes and Amazon MP3).
Unjust Track List:
- The Heckler
- Hats Off to Rebay
- Lullaby in D
- Bob French
- The Corridor
- Mask Man
- Eventually
- Unjust
- Sparkling Red
- Sideways
- Hats Off to Rebay (Interlude)
- Reprise (Credits)
