Avery Sharpe - I Am My Neighbors Keeper (2024)

In common with many listeners, I discovered Avery Sharpe’s work during his two-decades-plus as bassist with McCoy Tyner, hearing him gel perfectly with the piano maestro on both sides of the Atlantic. But his career has moved on significantly since then, and this new album finds him combining his acoustic quartet with Curtis, Israel and Vacca with a string quartet.

The project is to remind us of our responsibilities to one another, to reject the selfish values of ‘IGM’ or ‘I Got Mine’, in favour of a more caring attitude. The opening ‘My Friend Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help’ uses the strings as a framework for the jazz group, with fine solos particularly from Curtis and Vacca. But as the album goes on, ‘Unspoken Words’ includes a jazz cello solo, setting the stage for some fine pizzicato from Sharpe.

The other strings add texture to a sparkling performance. Rivera’s deep-toned voice offers ‘A Little Prayer for Mom’ again with a bowed string solo as a counterpart, while DeChamplain and Kot take over the piano and drum stools for a forcefully played jazz quartet version of ‘Parental Love’ with some fine solo playing from Sharpe. All in all, an absorbing album, with a strong social message.~By Alyn Shipton