Danny Jonokuchi Experiment

Trumpeter and composer Danny Jonokuchi is new to me, but I love his new album, Reboot. Not long ago, Jonokuchi was punched in the face for no apparent reason in Philadelphia. It took four months for his lip to heal. Hence the title of his new CD. There are '70s jazz flavors throughout, and fascinating vocals by Alexa Barchini. The band is equally cutting-edge, with touches of Roy Ayers, Robert Glasper and Doug Carn. The band features Tim Brey (keyboard), Dave Sanders (guitar), Alex Frank (bass) and Jamie Eblen (drums). Sample the entire album—and dig how they updated Night and Day by integrating touches of Ayers's Everybody Loves the Sunshine. - JazzWax

Trumpeter and composer Danny Jonokuchi is new to me, but I love his new album, Reboot. Not long ago, Jonokuchi was punched in the face for no apparent reason in Philadelphia. It took four months for his lip to heal. Hence the title of his new CD. There are '70s jazz flavors throughout, and fascinating vocals by Alexa Barchini. The band is equally cutting-edge, with touches of Roy Ayers, Robert Glasper and Doug Carn. The band features Tim Brey (keyboard), Dave Sanders (guitar), Alex Frank (bass) and Jamie Eblen (drums). Sample the entire album—and dig how they updated Night and Day by integrating touches of Ayers's Everybody Loves the Sunshine. - JazzWax

LA bred but now East Coast based, trumpeter/composer Danny Jonokuchi released an impressive debut awhile back that featured a big band. This time around, he goes for a vocal quintet with Alexa Barchini/voc, Tim Brey-key, Dave Sanders/g, Alex Frank/b and J amie Eblen/dr. For the five originals, as well as the one standard Jonukuchi takes the songs through shifting moods, like a breeze blowing over the sands at Zuma beach and creating different moods and atmospheres. Barchini’s indie-folk toned voice works well on the bluesy pop piece “Peaks” which blends her voice fragrantly with guitar and keyboards. A funky and R&Bish take of “Night and Day” includes warm soloing by the leader, while “Songs for Days to Come” and the title track meld energetically charged rhythms and kinetic drumming with graceful keyboards weaving in and out like changing scenes in an action movie. The band is quite flexible in their delivery of these well crafted arrangements, showing that good jazz doesn’t have to be all improvisation as much as inspiration. - Jazz Weekly

Los Angelino export Danny Jonokuchi is a trumpeter with a definite Roy Hargrove feel to his sound. His group, Danny Jonokuchi Experiment, groove in the R&B and hip hop pocket. This 22-year-old bandleader is definitely a sound of this era for all the best reasons. His album, Reboot, is the kind of album that show a great deal of promise. It's impressive, albeit brief, and a great display of the career this collective can have with stick-to-itiveness. The drummer, Jamie Eblen, has some serious chops. Vocalist Alexa Barchini also has a tone and breeziness that fans of Gretchen Parlato would appreciate. You should definitely give Reboot a listen and maybe even a purchase. - Nextbop

Los Angelino export Danny Jonokuchi is a trumpeter with a definite Roy Hargrove feel to his sound. His group, Danny Jonokuchi Experiment, groove in the R&B and hip hop pocket. This 22-year-old bandleader is definitely a sound of this era for all the best reasons. His album, Reboot, is the kind of album that show a great deal of promise. It's impressive, albeit brief, and a great display of the career this collective can have with stick-to-itiveness. The drummer, Jamie Eblen, has some serious chops. Vocalist Alexa Barchini also has a tone and breeziness that fans of Gretchen Parlato would appreciate. You should definitely give Reboot a listen and maybe even a purchase. - Nextbop