Simple Song is a contemporary jazz album by Canadian saxophonist Ben Wendel, released on March 24, 2009. His debut as leader, it features a collection of neo-bop jazz compositions.
Guest musicians on the album include pianists Tigran Hamasyan, Taylor Eigsti, and Adam Benjamin, with guitarist Larry Koonse, bassist Darek Oleszkiewicz, and drummer Nate Wood.
Reception Michael Nastos of AllMusic wrote, "these are complex, intricate composed pieces requiring a good deal of rehearsal, and it sounds like they got them right for the recording session. With a combined sense of ease interacting and a great sense of teamwork, this band brings to life a set of heady compositions perfectly suited for the time period at the end of the 2000s."
Raul d'Gama Rose of All About Jazz described the album as "anything but simple in its approach to the idiom of jazz, [with] Wendel sweep[ing] across a sonic landscape with invention [...] thus [having] been able to create a tonal palette of seemingly epic proportions as he pushes his reeds on an endless, dancing journey."
Track listing
Personnel Ben Wendel – tenor saxophone, bassoon, melodica Tigran Hamasyan (5, 6), Taylor Eigsti (1, 2, 7, 10) – piano Adam Benjamin – piano (3, 4, 8, 11), Rhodes piano Larry Koonse – guitar Darek Oleszkiewicz – bass Nate Wood – drums
Production François Zalacain – executive producer Mike Aarvold – recording engineer, tracking Joe Gastwirt – mastering Steve Wood – mixing Paul R. Rivera Design – layout design Kim Fox – photography
References