Jack Wilkins

Tim Cummiskey/ Jack Wilkins “Kindred”
(Available at: www.tc7string.com or www.cdbaby.com

This recording is a real treat. It showcases stunningly good playing, notably Tim Cuminskey’s whose lyrical lines, classic jazz tone and good taste are a perfect match for the great Jack Wilkins, a player who is one of the best at creating musical dialog with another guitarist. Add to the mix swinging support and rhythmic flair from bassist Andy Woodson and drummer Ken Rupp and the result is one of the year’s best jazz guitar recordings
Of course an excellent lineup of tunes is in the equation as well. Great standards such as “Body and Soul”, “Old Folks”, Jerome Kern’s “All the Things You Are”, and Burke and Van Heusen’s “Like Someone In Love” are juxtaposed with Mongo Santamarie’s “Afro Blue”, Dave Holland’s “The Oracle” and Jobim’s too seldom recorded “Caminhos Cruzados”.
Cummiskey is a guitar educator and lecturer at the University of Ohio, and an under-the –radar player who deserves the attention that he’ll no doubt receive from this recording. Jack Wilkins’ work with Jimmy Bruno was superb and his musical chemistry with Cummiskey echoes that. But both players are masters of accompaniment and interplay. Consider the contrast of style and tone on “Like Someone in Love” when the two trade choruses, and later eights. Another standout tenor man Jerry Bergonzi’s tune, “Outhouse”, inspires both guitarists to lay down scorching solos before they build to an exciting overlapping conversation en route to the coda.
The recording also features the guitarists as a duo on three cuts: the atmospheric “Estate”, an elegant version of “Body and Soul” and a beautifully explored “All the Things You Are”. The duo tracks are a nice change of pace, but when bassist Andy Woodson and drummer Ken Rupp are back in place, they together bestow a synergism that’s nothing short of rewarding for the listener. Both players shine on “The Oracle” and their embracing rhythmic foundation is indicative of what they bring to this recording. By the way, this session was recorded in a day, live in the studio, and captures the spirit of great jazzers doing what they do best
Highly recommended

Jim Carlton