The Elements of Jazz

Possibly the handsomest quartet in contemporary jazz and world music, The Elements of Jazz have sowed their self-titled album and are ready to reap the benefits of their endeavor. Released by EMG Records, The Elements of Jazz formulate lively commentaries via Yohan McGlashan's saxophone and Brandon Janvion's guitar which circumnavigate the funky stylizing of bassist Jerry Nelson and drummer Bennet Davis. Their upbeat carriage has a contemporary appeal with suggestions of vintage jazz in their smoothly lacquered introspections reminiscent of Henry Mancini and Chuck Mangione.

Tracks like "Cloud 9" and "Up The Coast" have a semblance relatable to '70s easy-listening-jazz craftsmanship, whereas the reggae pulsing of "Release" lobbed in saxophone plumes teetering on a calypso chassis and the funky grooves of "In Flight" quaffed in tangy guitar quavers show a penchant for spontaneous surges. The breezy narratives piping "Arisen" have a meditative throbbing, and the wispy ballad "Midnight Conversation" is impassioned with a lulling tootle. Impassioned is rare in ballads, but in this instance, it is on the mark. The jubilant rush suspending "All The Way" indulges the quartet in a playful liaison which then wanes down to a continuum of gentle tweets in McGlashan's saxophone and mollifying grooves along "Last Days".

Hailing from Miami, The Elements of Jazz transition factions of bebop, hip hop, reggae, funk, and impassioned balladry into a broth of complementing textures. They bridge the gaps between Dave Brubeck, Bob Marley, Prince, Flo-Rida, and Antonio Carlos Jobim which all have the potential of being the grist for The Elements of Jazz's material. Their fusion is specific to them and their concept of jazz puts them on the track of becoming trendsetters in the vane of Chuck Mangione. - Susan Frances

The Elements of Jazz Maintain A Slot on the CMJ Jazz Chart For A Second Week
- Kari-On Productions

The Elements of Jazz is a quartet from Miami bills themselves as “The New Sound of Miami,” with its clean and lean jazzy grooves that sharply contrast with the “new sound of Miami” from the 80s, Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. The one common element is that both evoke the sights and sounds of South Florida; in the case of TEOJ, it’s light, organic funk infused with jazz elements that feels like a breeze coming in from the Atlantic. Starting out as a big band, the group dwindled down to founders Bennet Davis (drums) and Jerry Nelson (bass), adding Yohan McGlashan (sax) and a former sax player in the big band, Brandon Janvion (guitar). Everyone plays a part in forming the band’s signature sound. McGlashan’s tenor carries the primary lead role, and Janvion fills out the overall sonic footprint nicely with some rich rhythm guitar work that fits in where you might expect a keyboard. Davis is of course integral as the main rhythm maker, and Nelson wrote all the songs in addition to supplying occasional bass leads. Their self-titled album, released last month, is their first one, introducing this band that’s easy on the ears, but doesn’t forget the purpose behind its name. Though there’s plenty of danceable tunes, there’s also variety in the form of bossa nova (“Midnight Conversation”), reggae (“Release”), waltz (“Cloud 9?) and dynamic, modern jazz overtones in the 5/4 pattern of “Arisen.” The Elements of Jazz may be more crossover than the name implies, but it’s the frills-free kind of crossover that can make new fans of the real jazz, and give real jazz fans some worthy chill-out music without all the guilt.
- Something Else!

The Elements of Jazz Take the #15 slot at CMJ Jazz - Kari-On Productions

When the albums starts out with a funky jazz jam, I’m open for it. The Elements Of Jazz begin with a song called “All The Way”, sounding like a cross between The Beginning Of The End, The Crusaders, and Tower Of Power, not bad for a group that’s only four members strong, with an emphasis on strong. Their self-titled album (EMG) is the kind of jazz, soul, and funk I can never get enough of, where the drummer and bassist are locked in a groove, the guitarist smooths out the tones, while the saxophonist gets ridiculous and helps to organize things while everyone else in the group share those organization duties.

When they get a bit more laid back, they know how to move everything in the right places too. I’d love to see these guys open for Soulive if at all possible.
- THIS IS BOOK REVIEW - John Book

The Elements of Jazz Take #2 Slot for Top CMJ Jazz Adds - Kari-On Productions

"Contemporary fusion crew from Miami that seems to be going for timeless rather than fashion statement. Hell, who’s around anymore to tell you that you don’t fit the format? There is no format! That leaves room to play from the heart which is what propelled these cats to want to break out of the wedding circuit. Happy summer feeling jazz (which is probably year round for this crew) is what’s on tap here. It sounds like it’s played for fun times and we can all use more of that. Check it out." - CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher

Photo Only - Photos by Jorge Rodriguez