Eric Wyatt / A Song of Hope

As the follow-up to his 2019 release The Golden Rule: For Sonny, Eric Wyatt’s A Song for Hope is vastly different in both tone and intent. Where the former was a tour de force, a tribute to Sonny Rollins and a straight-ahead blast of straight-ahead bop, Wyatt’s new record is more adventurous, colorful, unpredictable, and wide-ranging. Both are beautiful, for some of the same—but also different—reasons.
The energy is undeniable. On songs like “Fur Live” and McCoy Tyner’s “Contemplation,” Wyatt, along with drum legend Jeff “Tain” Watts, together lay it all on the table. Bassist Eric Wheeler and pianist Donald Vega join in, matching the energy with harmonic zest and fresh excitement. Elsewhere, as on the Breonna Taylor tribute “Say Her Name,” the lights dim a touch and the contrast is luminous. On Wyatt’s soulful take on Sting’s “Fragile,” he invites singer Samara Joy, the 21-year old winner of the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, to chime in, and she does so with drama and elegance.

Featured

Eric Wyatt/ tenor sax 1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
soprano sax 2
background vocals 2
Donald Vega /piano 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10,11
Eric Wheeler/ bass 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9
Jeff Watts/ drums 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,12
background vocals 2
Samara Joy/ lead vocal 2,7
Theo Croker/ trumpet 3,6
flugel 4
Kahlil Qwame Bell/ percussion 3,4,5,7,9
Chris Lowery/ trumpet 4,9,10
Clifton Anderson/ trombone 4,9
Mike Boone/ bass 10,11
Mekhi Boone/ drums 10,11