Benny Sharoni

“Eternal Elixir”

(Papaya Records)

Released on his own Papaya label this the début recording as a leader by tenor saxophonist Benny Sharoni. Sharoni is an interesting character, born in Israel of Chilean/Yemeni parents he was raised on a kibbutz and fought for the Israeli army in the war against Lebanon.

Introduced to jazz by the music of Sonny Rollins and traumatised by his war experiences Sharoni moved to the US to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Although Sharoni dropped out of college, his dislike of formal discipline perhaps stemming from his army days, he still continued his saxophone studies with private tutors, among them Jerry Bergonzi and George Garzone. Sharoni is still based in Boston and his album features a number of leading players from the city’s vibrant jazz scene. Barry Ries is on trumpet, Mike Mele on guitar, Todd Baker on bass and Steve Langone at the drums. The piano chair is shared between Joe Barbato whose percussive approach is favoured on the more up tempo numbers and the more lyrical Kyle Aho who shines on the bossas and ballads.

The album consists of classic hard bop/soul jazz and bossa covers, Donald Byrd is a particular favourite of Sharoni’s, plus a smattering of Benny’s originals. It begins with the bustling “Bernstein”, Sharoni’s dedication to Leonard’s creativity and freedom of spirit. It’s a classic fast hard bop tune with sparkling solos from Sharoni, Barbato and Mele plus swingingly propulsive support from Baker and Langone.

Both Donald Byrd pieces come from the trumpeter’s 1961 album “Free Form” which also featured Wayne Shorter, another of Sharoni’s early inspirations. “French Spice” is one of Byrd’s strongest tunes, delivered here at a sprightly mid tempo with some fine ensemble playing and with fluent solos from one time Joe Lovano sideman Ries plus Barbato and Sharoni.

“Estate” is the first of the bossa numbers and sees Aho taking over the piano stool. Sharoni’s tone here is warm and breathy, very different to his more strident hard bop sound. Sympathetic brushed support from Langone and broodingly lyrical piano from Aho help the tenorist make this a wholly satisfying and often beautiful bossa/ballad performance.

Barbato reverts to the piano chair for Bobby Hebb’s “Sunny”. Although there’s some excellent interplay between Sharoni and Ries and a thoughtful solo from Barbato who also acts as arranger it’s still the least satisfactory item thus far. Barbato’s arrangement is interesting but occasionally things stray a little too close to smooth jazz for these ears. Does the world really need another version of this old chestnut?

Byrd’s “Pentecostal Feelin’” is rooted in gospel and the Sharoni group make a fair job of it with Mele weighing in with a fluid, slippery solo. Ries and Barbato also shine as Baker and Langone shuffle things along. Sharoni’s own solo is gruff and muscular, doubtless inspired by Shorter’s original. Like the other Byrd piece it’s a hard bop classic and in this case it’s good to hear it again.

“Benito’s Bossa Bonita” is Sharoni’s own take on the genre and with excellent solos from both Aho and the composer, plus bassist Baker, it’s a coolly attractive item. It stretches out a little further than most bossas with Sharoni exploring the full tonal range of his instrument.

“To Life” was originally recorded by Cannonball Adderley on his “Fiddler On The Roof” album, another early source of inspiration for Sharoni. The version here cools down the original and positions it somewhere between hard bop and swing. Barbato, Baker and Langone provide a coolly swinging backdrop for the fine work of Sharoni and the muted Ries whose horn lines intertwine most effectively.

The lengthy “Cakes” is a Sharoni original that would have been completely at home on a vintage Blue Note record. The title refers to Sharoni’s culinary abilities as a pancake maker (he makes them for his band mates apparently) and the tune is essentially a blowing vehicle with some robust soloing from the composer plus important contributions from Mele on guitar and Aho at the piano.
Baker and Langone keep the rhythmic fires burning throughout.

The hard bop vibe continues into “The Thing To Do”, a rousing tune by the late trumpeter Blue Mitchell. Fittingly Ries is excellent on this swinging, infectious version and Barbato and Sharoni shine too as the rhythm team keep things cooking. Great stuff.

Finally comes “Senor Papaya”, a dedication to Sharoni’s father. Like the opening “Bernstein” it’s a bustling, boppish affair with some fine soloing from Aho who really lets his hair down and Mele who still sounds coolly elegant even in the busiest of situations. Sharoni himself is powerful throughout, his exuberant playing a celebration of his father and of life itself.

Sharoni may not have much new to say but what he says he says with conviction. As a result there’s some fine playing on this album from all concerned. Tough and tender by turns Sharoni is very much in the style of the old school tenor saxophonists who inspired him.

He’s very active in the Boston area and with his big sound I’d guess that he’s an exciting and dynamic live performer. If you live in his locale check him out. Listings can be found at http://www.bennysharoni.com

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