Gerald Cleaver & J.D. Allen - Detroit (2008)

Mr. Cleaver's drumming perfectly suits the fluid requirements of jazz's post-everything avant-garde, wrote the New York Times' Nate Chinen. In his review of his 2001 CD debut as a leader, Veil of Names (FSNT-112), All Music Guide reviewer David R. Adler wrote, Cleaver is on fire behind the drum kit, but he also proves himself an extraordinary composer on this wholly original outing. Repeated listens are recommended, and pleasure is assured. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, in-demand New York-based drummer-composer Gerald Cleaver is a product of the rich music tradition found there. Dedicated to the motor city and to the memory of some great masters as Roy Brooks and Richard Pistol Allen, Gerald Cleavers Detroit, is an acoustic self-penned set performed by the group Violet Hour. A sextet led by the drummer that features trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, saxophonists Andrew Bishop and JD Allen, pianist Ben Waltzer and bassist Chris Lightcap.

J. D. Allen (ts), Andrew Bishop (ss, ts, bcl), Gerald Cleaver (d), Jeremy Pelt (tp, flgh), Chris Lightcap (b), Ben Waltzer (p)