Ernie Krivda Sextet: The Music of Ernie Krivda

Cleveland-based tenorist Ernie Krivda displays both his unique, explosive playing style and his ability to produce well-crafted compositions on his 13th album, The Music of Ernie Krivda (Cadence). Utilizing a sextet that features veteran guitarist Bob Fraser and a complement of youthful players-the phenomenal trumpeter Dominic Farinacci was only 18 at the time of the session-the husky-toned tenorist offers a program of appealing melodic mainstream modern tunes that includes slow pieces, hard bop groovers and a down-home blues, many of them based on inventive formal schemes. His own highly personalized tenor approach takes advantage of the entire range of the instrument, and on the up-tunes employs a biting attack, arpeggiated figures and a heavy vibrato in a hard-charging, no-holds-barred manner. It transforms into a more restrained but still passionate style on the slower numbers. Krivda’s youthful rhythm section serves him and his music quite well. Fraser also offers consummate improvisations and young Farinacci solos in the hard-bop idiom with the skill and feeling of an old hand.

Originally Published June 1, 2003