Divergence | Pete Smyser Quintet featuring John Swana (flugelhorn) | from "The Scene is Clean"

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Song: Divergence (composed & arranged by Pete Smyser)
download this track or the entire album on Bandcamp - petesmyser.ban...
Pete Smyser - guitarist, bandleader, composer, arranger | www.smyser.com/
John Swana - flugelhorn
Ted Lis - tenor sax
Darryl Hall - bass
Byron Wookie Landham - drums
This is from my 1999 recording "The Scene is Clean" (available for download on Bandcamp or on CD by contacting me through my website www.smyser.com/ ). I recorded this in the fall of 1998. The album includes 5 standards along with 5 of my own compositions. The recording received some nice reviews & decent radio play in the Philadelphia.
Here are the liner notes from Bob Perkins / iconic Jazz Program Host (WRTI/Temple University Public Radio, Philadelphia, PA...
Both academic studies and self-discovery, through "woodshedding," resulted in Pete Smyser landing his first professional gig at the age of eighteen. For the next ten years, he worked solo, and in small group settings. These experiences paved the way for the recording and release of Pete's first CD, OUT OF NOWHERE-which was met with applause from jazz writers, critics, and other jazz cognoscenti.
Buoyed by his initial recording success, CD number two, THE SCENE IS CLEAN, was recorded. It features several of the sidemen Pete chose for his debut recording.
Compact disc two differs from CD one - but not in quality of performance. Fleshing out the rhythm section of bass, drums and Pete's guitar, is the always excellent piano work of Jim Ridl. On various tracks, tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet, bass clarinet, and flugelhorn are spotlighted. (It's always a joy to hear one of Gabriel's proteges, trumpeter John Swana.) But the horns do not dominate on this disc - they compliment. Pete's guitar work is featured more on SCENE, and he offers more original tunes, which contrast nicely with old chestnuts like Too Marvelous for Words; Bess, You is My Woman Now; Can't We be Friends? and Everything I Have is Yours.
I have more than a hunch that Pete Smyser had a calling to be a jazz musician; and it's also clear that he answered the call. Pete will be a good emissary for jazz music. He's a no-nonsense guy who loves what he does and works hard at it. He also makes it clear that he doesn't court bad habits. This "straight-as-an-arrow" attitude prompted one of his associates to apply the label of "clean-cut" to the guitarist...who doesn't fret about the tag. (Yes, the pun was intended...groan.)
And although he can front a band, compose, arrange and teach music, Pete says he's still hungry to know more. He looks to the past for that knowledge. He suggests that "Many of today's young jazz artists look only as far back as the late '60s for their cues. I find myself enjoying earlier periods of jazz ('50s, '40s, '30s). In my opinion, earlier jazz has more romance, humor, optimism, attention to group sound, individuality of tone production, style and more direct use of melody (less abstract and no wasted notes)." Spoken like a true scholar-but scholarship tempered with humility and an open mind.
So folks, in summation, this Pete Smyser fellow, is an all around good guy who has become, or is destined to become, a virtuoso guitarist. And if he chooses to build on that virtuosity, his will become a much recognized name in the world of jazz music.

[@michaelgray6652]

Great song with a great feel. I am a big John Swana fan.He delivered as always but the group as a whole is very great. Will have to check more of Mr. Smyser.

[@PeteSmyser]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. John is a friend & a great musician! He also participated in my debut CD titled "Out of Nowhere."