Joe Lovano’s Us Five Embraces New Generation

By I Mar. 27, 2009

Joe Lovano’s Us Five band will release its debut disc, Folk Art (Blue Note) on May 5. Along with being the first Lovano recording comprised entirely of his own compositions, the rhythm section represents a younger wave of musicians. James Weidman is the band’s pianist and other members include bassist Esperanza Spalding and two drummers: Otis Brown and Francisco Mela.

“It’s the first time I’ve put together a group with people who aren’t my generation, who haven’t totally developed their approach, who are experiencing things for the first time,” Lovano said. “Everyone has fresh eyes and fresh ears, and this gives me ideas when I put together compositions that I had never played with anyone else before. Everybody is on their toes. It reminds me of when Tony Williams and Herbie played with Miles as real young cats, or when McCoy Tyner first played with Coltrane.”

Lovano is equally clear about what each musician contributes to the group.

“The music comes out of our individual roots, and those combinations emerge in the music,” Lovano said. “Francesco Mela is from Cuba, Otis Brown is a real New York drummer. Esperanza has beautiful lyrical approach, as does the way James conceives jazz music, blues, gospel, and freer forms. It’s an ongoing study on how to play together with mutual respect and an egoless approach.”

Details: joelovano.com