Michael Dease | Give It All You Got Review

by Jeff Becker

Michael Dease is back with another Posi-Tone records release called Give It All You Got. The Poll-winning trombonist is joined by Jim Alfredson on organ, Greg Tardy on saxophone, Anthony Stanco on trumpet, Gwendolyn Dease on percussion, and Ulysses Owens Jr. on drums. Special guest appearances include saxophonist Sharel Cassity and guitarist Randy Napoleon. The ten-song set has a wide array of styles and instrumentations but is clearly presented by the bandleader’s jazz vision.

“A Sliver of Silver” is, just as the title implies, a Horace Silverish melody that resonates with the Hard Bop style. Dease is a very gifted composer, and the band is spot-on for this one. Dease’s wife, Gwendolyn, provides the congas as the hip melody snakes through the changes and form. Dease has a warm tone in his solo as he flows through the changes with skill, clarity, and flawless technique. There is no doubt Dease is at the top of the trombone list in the jazz world. Gregory Tardy spins out a beautiful tenor saxophone feature followed by Anthony Stanco’s fluid trumpet solo, and finally, Jim Alfredson pushes ahead with his solo moment. The Latin jazz feel is buoyant as each player fills the space with sweet jazz sonics.

“Parker’s Fancy” opens with the nostalgia of the cool jazz era and takes us through another Dease gem of a melody. The horns sound in sync and phrased together with style. Alfredson’s solo leads us through an exploration of the well-known changes. Dease stirring solo is agile and shows that the bone can be just as active as the other horns in the section. Guest Sharel Cassity’s alto saxophone sings with modern and straight-ahead colors as she channels her lively jazz-soul through the form.

Give It All You Got brings the familiar devices and dialect of the jazz genre brought to life by an outstanding ensemble. Dease is an endless source of talent, a dynamic writer, and shines brightly with Give It All You Got.