Continuation

Lerner’s newest CD on Origin Records includes his latest compositions and Chicago musicians of the highest caliber: Willie Pickens on piano, Marlene Rosenberg on bass, Charles Heath on drums, Geof Bradfield on reeds, Victor Garcia on flugelhorn, Andy Baker on trombone, Joe Rendon on percussion, and Peter Lerner on guitar. Robert Irving III, who collaborated with Miles Davis for nine years, produced the project.

Track Listings:

1. Willie n Me
2. Once Upon A Chance Encounter
3. Southside Strut
4. Amazon
5. Jean De Fleur
6. La Mesha
7. Funkdat
8. My Blues
9. When Sunny Gets Blue

Performers:

• Willie Pickens – piano
• Peter Lerner – guitar
• Marlene Rosenberg – bass
• Charles “Rick” Heath IV – drums
• Geof Bradfield – tenor, alto sax, flute
• Victor Garcia – flugelhorn
• Andy Baker – trombone
• Joe Rendon – percussion

Outstanding release by guitarist Lerner, who leads a strong octet with names like pianist Willie Pickens, bassist Marlene Rosenberg, saxophonist Geof Bradfield, and trombonist Andy Baker (among others). Solid group interplay lays the groundwork for some great solos. Lerner hits upon many of the usual motifs… there’s some tunes that swing, others heavy with the blues, a Latin tune, a hard bop funk tune, a ballad, a modern post-bop… and there isn’t a one this octet doesn’t shine on through. Opening track “Willie n Me” is exactly the kind of fiery tune you want to introduce an album with. Recommended.

– Dave Sumner @BirdIsTheWorm

How about some real Chicago jazz? Ace guitar man Lerner spent two years whipping this crew into shape so her could craft a band date tipping the cap to his mentor, piano man Willie Pickens, who is part of the band. It’s fully Chicago jazz with a modern edge played by a crew that’s really on board…

– Chris Spector, Midwest Record (Read full review)

Nothing unflattering can be said about Chicago-born and -based guitarist Peter Lerner’s latest album, Continuation. The energy level is high, the charts admirable, the supporting cast exemplary…
Lerner and his colleagues are seasoned pros who leave nothing to chance. Continuation is well-planned, well-recorded, well-played and well worth seeking out.

– Jack Bowers, www.allaboutjazz.com (Read full review)

Technically adept and stylistically rangy, Lerner pulls a round but tough sound from his instrument, and he favors a pronounced attack even on ballads, which gives his lines a prickpoint clarity. The combination of these qualities produces an undeniable swagger…

– Neil Tesser, www.chicagomusic.com