Best Local Jazz/Latin Act

Sonic Explorers

It would appear the local scene (at least in terms of clubgoers, if not the Jazz Powers That Be) is at long-last waking from its ancient and self-induced slumber when it comes to contemporary jazz. And, while the Rein of the Real Book will never end, at least the ears of Wormtown are opening to the strains of original jazz composition. And there is no better example of Worcester's free-thinking artists than Sonic Explorers. Led by trumpeter extraordinaire Jerry Sabatini, the Explorers are a super-group of (relatively) local talent that include Joy of Music honcho Richard Ardizzone, Combustible Edison's Nick Cudahy and Mike Conners, and URI's director of jazz studies Joe Parillo. Rooted in improvisational jazz music, the Explorers modus operandi is to let music "happen" as the mood, room, composition (barometric pressure?) dictate. Eastern to Western, past to present, the influences of the ensemble are as varied as their individual backgrounds. While there is a basic anchoring mechanism in Sabatini's strong song structure that keeps the band from flying too close to the sun, the final product is a never-ending expression of the here and now -- a portrait that will never be finished, a story that will never grow tiresome. The Explorers' second disc, Beatnik Oblivion, while brilliant (it's both a thrilling listen for jazz fans, and not too avant-garde for a novice's ear) is nonetheless an of-the-moment glimmer that is receding on the band's horizon. Like their name indicates, they're off navigating new waters. We can hardly wait to see what they send back to us!

-- John O'Neill