Jentsch Group Quartet: Fractured Pop
by George W. Harris • July 6, 2017 • JazzWeekly.com
This cd-dvd contains guitarist and composer Chris Jentsch with his team of Matt Renzi/ts-cl-a fl, Jim Whitney/b and John Mettam/dr in a studio and concert setting from 2009. At times, the band comes across as a jazz version of John Mayer, as earthy pop-blues mix with Renzi’s tenor on the title track and “Imaging the Mirror.” A dash of Kansas drama and ferocity is felt on “Old Folks Song” while Jentsch’s guitar gets edgy here and on “Old Folds Song” and “Old Folks Postlude.” A hip military groove is supplied by Mettam on “Meeting At Surratts" while Whitney’s bass is impressive on the cozy “Are You Bye?”. A mix of indie and modern jazz thoughts make the fracture heal well.