"Journeys" CD - Brett Bottomley

Brett Bottomley - Grand StickNick D'Errico - drumsJeremy Osterling - tenor saxophoneTrevor Williams - vibraphonereview by Greg HowardJourneys, the debut CD from Stickist Brett Bottomley, truly expands the instrument's role in a jazz context. Most of these eight original tracks feature his quartet, with drumer Nick D'Errico, tenor saxophonist Jeremy Osterling and Trevor Williams on vibes. In this setting Bottomly draws on his many years of experience on upright bass, outlining the harmony and driving the rhythm with fast-paced bebop and latin basslines. All the while he plays the melody, comps behind Osterling and Williams, or solos with the right hand, playing parts as any skilled jazz guitarist might.While this bass-plus-guitar approach isn't new to The Stick, it's the added dimension of his more pianistic side, echoing Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett, that takes the instrument one big step deeper into the music. Many jazz musicians would be tempted to mix their own tunes in with familia