Ken Fowser & Behn Gillece: Top Shelf

Ken Fowser (sax)

Behn Gillece (vibes)

Top Shelf (Posi-Tone; 2013)

Michael Dease (trombone)

Dezron Douglas (bass)

Rodney Green (drums)

Steve Einerson (piano)

A Ken Fowser & Behn Gillece outing is always going to be top-notch and smooth; like good old fashion club date. With their fourth album, Top Shelf, they keep the relaxed bebop aesthetics of their previous albums while assembling yet another stellar array of musicians to assist in molding their material.

A steady, straight forth "Slick" leads the way, with some terrific bold notes from Fowser and triple toned patterns from Green and Gillece. A strong opening with Dease as a great counterfoil for Fowser.

"Ginger Swing" brings Einerson up in front alongside Fowser nicely. Gillece comes in and rips a set of notes midway through that are balanced perfectly from Green. But Gillece's agility really shines here as he begins some nice improvising before things swing back to Einerson and sextet move towards the closing notes.

"Top Shelf" is a killer piece with a slight Latin tinge. The rhythm is a scorcher and the beat laid down by Douglas, Gillece and Einerson is infectious. "Proximity" while dreamy also features Dease in a nice comfortable roll (almost Fuller-esque). I really love the way each member gets their opportunity to shine on this closing number.

One of the great things I've loved about Ken Fowser and Behn Gillece is their tight arrangements and dedication to tradition. Their writing gets stronger with each record. And their ability to find the right members is extraordinary. Top Shelf is yet again, another will delivered document from a duo that is continually growing and finding an exquisite voice.

Best Albums of 2011: Behn Gillece & Ken Fowser

JazzWrap revisits a great year of discoveries in 2011.

Ken Fower (sax)

Behn Gillece (vibes)

Duotone (Posi-Tone Records; 2011)

Donald Vega (piano)

Willie Jones (drums)

David Wong (bass)

Of all our favourites we might discussion this week, Ken Fowser and Behn Gillece's Duotone is probably the one album that could be universally accepted by both jazz new comers and hardcore listeners.


Duotone is like a good club night out. It's smokin' at the right moments ("Overcooked" and "Back To Back"), gently ("In Twilight") and even playful ("One For G"). But outside of setting the mood, Gillece and Fowser grown as musicians and writers. The music on their third album is tighter, well balanced and executed brilliantly by everyone in the quintet.

Gillece and Fowser have made a name for themselves in the New York scene by playing frequently at a number of smaller clubs. This is a duo will definitely be around for a while and if you ever wanted a great contemporary hard bop jazz record, you absolutely can't go wrong with Duotone. Check out our full discussion on Duotone from a earlier in the summer.

The following video was done David Rapoport.

Fowser/Gillece Quintet

Ken Fowser (sax)

Behn Gillece (vibes)

Duotone (Posi-Tone Records; 2011)

Willie Jones (drums)

Donald Vega (piano)

David Wong (bass)

Did I mention its be a great year for music?


I have been waiting for the new Fowser/Gillece Quintet record for 8 months now. And this week it arrived. And I have to say it's a cracker! Supported by the third in a revolving lineup, Duotone (Posi-Tone) is superb. The lineup change doesn't affect the quality of Fowser and Gillece's compositions; The bandmates seem to slide in perfectly.

The opener, "Overcooked" swings with a lot of force. Vega and Wong add a nice thumbing punch to hard bop number. Fowser and Gillece let the members shine from the outset while they both move in and out of the piece gently but with enough punctuation for the listener to know which path to follow. "Spontaneity" and "Attachment" both deliver on the calm relaxed nature of  Behn Gilllece's writing. They are both well inviting midtempo numbers, which see that Gillece and Vega having direct interchanges that make for one of those cool night club moments. The reason why you appreciate good jazz played supremely.

The chemistry between Fowser and Gillece was established years ago before they even started their recording careers. But over the short span of three years they have established themselves as a creative duo that continues to grow with each record. The changing of bandmates for each record shows how in demand they are to work with. "In The Twilight" is a beautiful motif that sees Gillece taking the forefront like Milt Jackson. And like Jackson, he is changing the vibes into more than just instrument. It's become a part of the group theory. This piece would sound flat without the addition of the creative notes Gillece has applied. Fowser adds a tone that could settle somewhere between 'Trane and the giant Dexter Gordon. "One For G" sees Fowser performing with bold ambition and directness. It's a well balanced piece which all the band tend to have an opportunity to shine and well placed, sequence wise, as the last track.

Obvious Milt Jackson and John Coltrane comparisons will always come up with a duo like Fowser and Gillece but they have managed to create pieces that sit in tradition but are clearly modern and hard enough to make the distinction that these two are no revivalists. I always try to recommend albums that can be universally appreciated inside and outside of jazz circles. Duotone is far and above one of those albums. For me it will be one of our albums of the year. A true must listen for all music fans. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!