Goldmine Magazine / Sept 30, 2005

THE WILLIAM ASH TRIO
The Phoenix
Smalls Records (SRCD-0006)

New York-born jazz guitarist William Ash releases his debut CD as a leader with The Phoenix, on the Small Records jazz label. A child prodigy, Ash was a well-known player in the New York City, Village Vanguard jazz scene as a young teenager.

His influences include Wes Montgomery, Barry Harris, John Patton, and the experience of playing with various hard boppin' and organ trio-driven outfits. These themes certainly shine through on this session, with Dwayne Burno on bass and Mark Taylor on drums, both superb musicians.

The Phoenix features eleven mostly original tracks, with a couple standards also included. The trio’s musicians combine deep grooves, cool jazz melodies and funky solos throughout. Burno and Taylor often find that cohesive pocket to sit in, with tracks such as "Moon Shine", "It", (both Ash originals) and Lee Morgan's "Sidewinder".

The crafty guitar solos on "Bill's Groove" and "Crystal Bird", to bebop of Charlie Parker's "Constellation" and the Ash original "Parker's Rhythm", and the cool swinging of "Celery" all hit the mark. On The Phoenix, Ash successfully combines past influences with contemporary flair.

Joe Milliken