CD REVIEW - PERCUSSIVE NOTES - FEB 2003

MATT JORGENSEN +451
Quiet Silence
(Origin)

By Terry O'Mahoney

In his sophomore recording as a leader, Seattle drummer Matt Jorgensen demonstrates that he is a sensitive yet forceful player who supports the music but doesn't get lost in the background. He plays with a strong groove (both straight eigth note and swing), interacts well with the other musicians, and has a great cymbal sound. The nine tunes, a mixture of originals and jazz arrangements of songs by the Beatles, Radiohead and Burt Bacharach, sound fresh but somewhat retro due primarily to the use of the Fender Rhodes by Marc Seales. The Seattle jazz scene continues to foster great players and Jorgensen definitely falls into that category.