Adam Rafferty Trio – Three Souls
Adam Rafferty Trio
Three Souls
(Jazzand – 2004)
by Paula Edelstein
Mentored by Mike Longo (Dizzy Gillespie’s longtime musical director) Adam Rafferty has steeped himself in the tradition of playing jazz standards, bebop and hard bop. THREE SOULS demonstrates the guitarist’s musical growth and development as a composer and along with bassist Danton Boller (Joshua Redman, Billy Higgins, Anthony Wilson, Roy Hargrove) and Tomas Fujiwara (Anthony Braxton, Ravi Coltrane) on drums, Adam realizes his weight in gold. The set opens with “America” a post-9/11 hymn that combines gospel, folk, jazz and rock.
“Crimson,” was built around a tonal color with “Object of Desire” is an E minor waltz that features a nice solo by Danton Boller. Two of Rafferty’s favorite guitarists receive a nod on “Blues For Wes and George.” “Bootiology” is a 70s style funk excursion based on the changes to “So What,” with Rafferty and Boller doubling up on the melody. The spirituality of “Like No Place On Earth” will warm your heart and soul and suggests Rafferty’s ability to search deep within himself for inspiration. Rafferty dazzles with liquid coolness, clean lines and a mature respect for the jazz guitar traditionalists.
