Paul Renz

For his sixth album, Rebop (Gabwalk), local jazz guitarist, composer, and educator Paul Renz recruited his former Berklee classmate Anders Bostrom, whose sly, insinuating flute work has been heard with the likes of McCoy Tyner, Gary Burton, and Chick Corea. The tasty combination of Renz's fluid electric (reminiscent of Wes Montgomery on the way to Pat Metheny with a little Bill Frisell thrown in), Bostrom's flute, and Brian Ziemniak's bubbling Hammond organ results in breezy bop laced with blues, Latin tinges, and hints of pop and funk. Except for a lithe, glowing arrangement of Bud Powell's "Un Poco Loco," all of Rebop's compositions are originals, ranging from the playful, swirling funk of "Sloppy Joe" and the scintillating, carnival-flavored "Sambatude" to "Farewell HP," a quiet, elegant tribute to Renz mentor Herb Pomeroy. Renz's compositions and fretwork alike exult in unveiling intriguing melodic and rhythmic angles with insouciant charm, knocking out listeners with subtle firepower hidden in a splendid vocabulary of feints and finesse. Bostrom will be on hand as Renz marks Rebop's release at the Dakota, along with Ziemniak and the dynamic rhythm section of bassist Eric Graham and drummer Nathan Fryett.
Sat., May 31, 8 p.m., 2008