Center of Gravity: Live at Smalls
Center of Gravity: Live at Smalls
Dwayne Clemons
Center of Gravity: Live at Smalls
by Dwayne Clemons
Label: Cellar
Released: October 18, 2024
Dwayne Clemons’ Center of Gravity: Live at Smalls is a triumphant return to the famed Greenwich Village basement, cementing his role as a custodian of Bebop tradition and a voice of contemporary swing. Recorded in 2023 at Smalls Jazz Club with a top-notch sextet, the album stands as the 10th release in the Smalls Living Masters series and captures the electric immediacy of Clemons' performances alongside altoist Amanda Sedgwick, tenor saxophonist Aaron Johnson, pianist JinJoo Yoo, bassist Paul Gill, and drummer Taro Okamoto.
Clemons, now based in Denmark but deeply tied to New York’s Jazz scene, carries with him a lineage of influence shaped by legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Red Garland. This album reflects both that legacy and his growth since first setting foot in Smalls decades ago. His trumpet work exudes warmth, confidence, and the kind of understated mastery that only comes with time.
Opening with Burgundy, a challenging Barry Harris tune, Clemons pays tribute to his mentor with clarity and soul. The track immediately grounds the album in tradition, yet Clemons and his band breathe new life into every phrase. His fluid handling of the intricate intro and outro is a testament to the years spent honing his craft.
The album’s title track, Center of Gravity, penned by Sedgwick, swings with a buoyant three-quarter-time feel. Sedgwick's composition is as thoughtful as her alto playing, offering both structure and room for the band to stretch. Clemons praises her writing, noting the “honest musical content” that makes this a standout piece in the set. Sedgwick, whose vibrant alto lines shine throughout, provides a perfect foil to Clemons’ more mellow trumpet tone.
Hey George, a nod to Sweet Georgia Brown, is pure energy, a playful riff on a classic that the band navigates with ease. Clemons is at home here, infusing each chorus with joy and spontaneity, clearly relishing the tune’s familiar structure. It’s a reminder of the enduring appeal of standards when played with the right mix of reverence and fresh interpretation.
Clemons’ arrangement of Honeysuckle Rose, a Cootie Williams-inspired gem, is another highlight. The 1943 flavor — with a nod to Bud Powell’s early days — is evident, yet the rendition feels current, anchored by the rhythmic drive of Gill and Okamoto. The interplay between trumpet and saxophones, a hallmark of this ensemble, shines particularly bright here.
Monk’s Hornin’ In makes an appearance, showcasing the band’s ability to navigate complex harmonic landscapes with ease. Clemons has always had an affinity for Monk’s quirky compositions, and this track is no exception. The tension and release between Johnson’s tenor and Clemons’ trumpet create a compelling dialogue, furthered by Yoo’s subtle, supportive piano lines.
Sedgwick’s Shadow and Act — dedicated to writer Ralph Ellison — is perhaps the album’s most introspective moment. Clemons gives Sedgwick space to lead, her alto weaving through the piece with a quiet intensity. It’s a fitting tribute to Ellison’s deep explorations of identity and culture, captured here through the lens of modern Jazz.
Standards like Smoke Rings and Sweet Emmalina, My Gal provide a contrasting sense of ease and nostalgia, their simple beauty underscored by Clemons’ thoughtful phrasing. These are tunes that could easily slip into sentimentality, but Clemons’ approach remains grounded, never sacrificing the sophistication inherent in these melodies.
Closing the album is When I Grow Too Old to Dream, an Arnett Cobb arrangement that serves as a perfect send-off. Clemons describes it as a “fun vehicle,” and indeed it is — a spirited, swinging finale that encapsulates the album’s essence: pushing boundaries without ever losing sight of tradition.
Center of Gravity: Live at Smalls is not just a return for Clemons to a beloved venue; it’s a reaffirmation of his place within the Jazz continuum. Surrounded by a band that knows the tradition but isn’t bound by it, Clemons offers an album that feels both rooted and fresh — a celebration of the enduring power of Jazz in its purest form.
Personnel
Dwyane Clemons • trumpet
Amanda Sedgwick • alto saxophone
Aaron Johnson • tenor saxophone
JinJoo Yoo • piano
Paul Gill • bass
Taro Okamoto • drums
Tracklist:
1. Burgundy
2. Center Of Gravity
3. Hey George
4. Honeysuckle Rose
5. Hornin' In
6. I Cover The Waterfront
7. Shadow And Act
8. Smoke Rings
9. Sweet Emmaline, My Gal
10. When I Grow Too Old To Dream