BJ Jansen

"Common Ground"
Street Date: June 23rd, 2017

To mark the momentous release of his tenth album as a leader, BJ Jansen has assembled an all-star sextet comprised of NEA Jazz Master trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, renowned drummer Ralph Peterson, trumpeter Duane Eubanks, bassist Dezron Douglas and pianist Zaccai Curtis.

Over the course of a dozen carefully chosen selections, the appropriately titled “Common Ground” aims to explore the musical commonalities among six musical titans who each bring with them their diverse backgrounds and distinctive musical legacies. “We had a common interest in keeping with the tradition while still pushing the boundaries,” says Jansen. All members of the sextet have benefitted from stellar mentorships that have colored their idea of the tradition; Jansen by pianist and educator Frank Stagnitta, Marsalis by his father Ellis Marsalis, Peterson by Art Blakey, Eubanks by Mulgrew Miller, and both Curtis and Douglas by Jackie McLean.  

On “Common Ground”, this musical melting pot gives way to an eclectic program that offers a little something for everybody. “When I wrote the music, I made sure there was something for each musician to latch on to,” says Jansen. For the album’s two-day recording session last summer, Jansen’s approach was decidedly “hands off” as he allowed each musician to find their own groove. “I was really open to contributions from everybody,” he says. This on-the-spot approach gave way to some of the album’s stand-out moments; one of which is the completely improvised title track. The song “Common Ground” opened up a new portal for Jansen- a change in his compositional process that he is eager to explore.

Change is nothing new to Jansen. Originally from Cincinnati, Jansen first move was to Philadelphia in 2004, where he found “the heart beat of jazz”. After learning on the Philly streets for three years, Jansen relocated once again. This time, he landed in New York City, where he’s been a resident for the past decade. After taking part in the downtown jam-session circuit for over a year, Jansen found that his sound was better received in Harlem. “I spent all my time in Harlem,” Jansen recalls.

As Jansen settled uptown, he became a regular at the legendary St. Nicks; a spot he fondly refers to as “one of the last bastions” of the Harlem jazz club scene. He, along with a crew of Philadelphia musicians, began frequenting and eventually sitting in on the regular Sunday gig held by vocalist TC III, son of drummer Bill “Mr. C” Carney and B3 organist Trudy Pitts. Carney’s classic “Bucketfull of Soul” is re-imagined on “Common Ground” and played as a testament to that distinctive “Philly vibe”. “The first time I heard it I knew I wanted to arrange and record it,” Jansen says.

The Philadelphia/Harlem connection is a common thread throughout the recording. In addition to Jansen’s aforementioned connection to the Pennsylvania city, Duane Eubanks hails from Philadelphia and Ralph Peterson Jr. comes from South Jersey. “My approach is very much so rooted in that Philadelphia tradition,” he says, adding, “…it has been a huge inspiration on me.” It was at these Harlem jam sessions that Jansen, amongst his Philly friends, grew to know Dezron Douglas. Of all the tracks on the album, Jansen’s “Stacey’s Pace” perhaps best encapsulates that Harlem nightlife scene. Ironically, it is also Douglas’ favorite track. “It danced the whole way!” says Douglas.

On “Common Ground”, Jansen does not just pay tribute to important cities and their respective traditions; he also pays tribute to Sonny Clark and Charlie Parker. Jansen’s “Relaxin’ with Jessica” is a contra fact on Clark’s 1957 “Sonny’s Mood” and features some agile piano by Zaccai Curtis and masterful brush work by Ralph Peterson. “The relaxed and swinging tune embodies the traditional Philly Sound that was widely heard on Blue Note recordings in the 50’s and 60’s,” Jansen adds. The ode to his sibling, “Angela’s Aggravation”, is based harmonically on the A sections of Charlie Parker’s “Confirmation”.

Jansen chose the previously recorded “Brandon’s Blues,” as not only a nod to his brother Brandon but as a means for Marsalis to showcase his finesse. Jansen then adds to his list of dedications, by including “Soul Loss”, a track inspired by people he’s lost in the past. He honors them well with gentle, yet intricate playing as the tightness of the rhythm section allows him to do so. As Eubanks notes:

“B.J.’s free way of hearing music is what offsets the tightness of the rhythm section. It’s giving the horn players freedom to explore and do the things you want to do on your own and having the rhythm section hold you grounded”.

With “Common Ground” clocking in as album number 10 for the 36 year old, it can surely be considered something of a milestone- one that is commemorated with an all-star band. In addition, “Common Ground” also speaks to Jansen’s tenacity to keep making music even when the current climate doesn’t make it so easy to do so. Ralph Peterson recalls:

“The first thing I noticed about B.J. was his hustle game. He’s quite the hustler and I respect that.” With the superb “Common Ground”, it seems that Jansen’s relentless hustle might just be paying off.