Jazz | Gary Brunotte, "Manic Moments"

Jazz | Gary Brunotte, "Manic Moments" ***

Despite the title, keyboard player Gary Brunotte's "Manic Moments" (Sincopato Records) is a rather pleasant affair with Latin grooves, swing and jazz-rock dominating the rhythms. Brunotte, a Minnesota native who has lived in Durham for the past decade, sticks mostly to organ, and the majority of the tracks are with a trio that includes Raleigh guitarist Scott Sawyer and drummer Bill Berg. Three tracks include a horn section with Triangle musicians Jim Ketch (trumpet), Gregg Gelb (alto saxophone) and Glen Ingram (tenor saxophone).

On the title cut, astringent harmony in the horns announces a short, astringent organ line followed by tenor saxophone, guitar and organ solos. Sawyer's solo, initially unaccompanied, is full of catchy jabs and melodic fragments. The track has a snaky, Weather Report feel.

Performances such as "Mas Que Nada" (the opening track), "Agua De Beber" and "That's All" contain an attractive trio sound and short, melodic solos. The group eschews the classic, funky, Jimmy Smith organ trio approach in favor of more subtle grooves and a more romantic mood. Acoustic bassist John Simonetti, who joins the trio on "You and the Night and the Music" and Brunotte's Bill Evans-flavored "Sometime" offers fine, percussive solo work on both. Electric bassist Damon Brown, who appears on the horn tracks and Brunotte's "Slightly Blued," adds a tight, funky drive to the rhythm. Berg proves a crisp, tasteful drummer throughout the session.

The final track is a brief repeat of "Mas Que Nada," this time with the Durham Children's Choir and Brunotte singing the melody.

See www.garybrunotte.com for more information about the CD and Brunotte's local performances.