Though Bill Banfield has recorded two previous albums under the Jazz Urbane branding featuring a handful of young jazz greats, the versatile veteran guitarist is even better known for his work in the classical realm, having composed 12 symphonies, seven operas and nine concerti that have been performed by orchestras throughout North America.
A true Renaissance man, he’s also a renowned educator (including Professor Emeritus at Berklee) and author of books on jazz and pop icons. Take Time To Listen, his dynamic, spirit-stirring debut on Mesa/Bluemoon, is technically a solo guitar album featuring intricate, ultra-melodic, highly improvised original compositions amidst a warm, welcoming sea of interpretations of jazz and pop standards. Yet his attention to detail, and the depth and richness of his playing and arrangements make it every bit as symphonic in its way as his notable work in the classical world.
Perhaps as selling points for the many potential listeners who haven’t heard of him (at least in this context), he wrote on his website: “It’s bluesy, funky, sonorous and abstract, it’s jazzy and classically woven, it sings, it cries and proclaims it’s time to be whatever it wants to be while asking us to just sit and listen so we can hopefully like it.” Among those who have embraced the invitation are several legendary guitarists who are quoted in the liner notes – among them, Tuck Andress, Lee Ritenour, Ernie Isley and Kevin Eubanks. Not quoted but beautifully paid homage to (via the alternately graceful, poppin’ and plucky “Song For Earl” is Earl Klugh, who along with Kenny Burrell, were Banfield’s greatest mentors.
In many ways, Take Time to Listen is the contemporary equivalent of the classic Klugh albums Solo Guitar and Naked Guitar, crafted in Banfield’s own inimitable style. Adhering to his belief that it only takes a few notes to communicate the essence of a great song, his fascinating twists on familiar pop tunes (“Your Song,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Fragile,” “For the Love of You”) and jazz standards (“Summertime,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Someday My Prince Will Come”) feature foundational elements of the familiar melodies to draw us in before Banfield showcases his grand creativity and intuitiveness with adventurous improvisations.
Though he titled the album after something his 100-year-old father said, these powerfully exquisite 16 tracks bear more riches for our ears every time we Take Time to Listen!
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