Bobby Falk Group Live at Ted's

Bobby Falk Group
Live at Ted's
Wilmington, NC
April 25, 2025

In a spirited 90-minute show at Live at Ted's, the Dallas/Fort Worth-based Bobby Falk Group captured the hearts of both discerning jazz aficionados and the curious public to such a seamless degree as would more widely-known combos. Drummer Falk is touring with a nucleus of saxophonist Aaron Irwinsky, keyboardist Jeff Furgo, bass guitarist Gannon Phillips and Chris Borin on trumpet and flugelhorn. The band is tight as if it has been unchanged forever. Perhaps that is why Falk's group is still improvising its way around Texas after ten years since forming in Louisville nine years prior. The group primarily focuses on original material, blending modern and traditional jazz, with Falk and Furgo, who has a habit of writing songs while traveling by airplane, contributing the bulk of the compositions. Performing before an enthusiastic full house, the group bounced between upbeat straight-ahead and smooth bossa nova stylings with their only cover an elegant interpretation of Burt Bacharach's contemporary classic, "Close to You."

Opening with "I Think I Can," Irwinsky and Borin moved to the groove with style and technique on this tune with a distinct Chicago feel. They followed with "Blues for B. Falk," a funky number made for blowing written by the leader only two weeks earlier. "There was a lot going on," Falk related. "It was my 45th birthday, my 15th wedding anniversary, my oldest son's graduation, my youngest son's confirmation, and it was Easter."

Falk was not shy about speaking into the microphone to extol the virtues of his bandmates and comment on each song, remarking that Irwinsky has spent time in Brazil, which accounts for the inclusion of several bossa nova and samba tunes. Notable was one Irwinski transcribed from the late Brazilian vocalist Leny Andrade's recording of "Batida Differente," a classic samba from the 1960s written by Maurício Einhorn and former Sergio Mendes guitarist, Durval Ferreira. With his eyes shut, you could easily imagine Irwinski intensifying his solo by recalling the time he spent walking the colorful streets of Rio during the day. "I was warned it was too dangerous to be out at night," he revealed after the show.

Accompanied by Furgo's steady comping, Borin called out the sweet melody of "Season of Celebration" on his custom Bell flugelhorn as avid concertgoers were riveted by the energy and intricacy of his performance. As the piece took on a bop-inspired feel, the other players joined in on the solo parade before ending in a heightening crescendo of notes. Furgo's poignant chord melody opening evoked Karen Carpenter's version of "Close to You." Accompanied only by bass and drums, the keyboardist treated the piece as one would a fine vintage wine, allowing space to let the notes breathe before pouring velvety and complex notes into his improvisational passages. Another highlight was Furgo's "Stand for Freedom," which he wrote after seeing a documentary on Bob Marley. "I knew nothing about Marley but admired his struggle for unity in Jamaica as politicians from both sides in the island nation were being murdered. It was a sober reminder of why our country needs to come together."

Throughout, Falk took only a couple of brief drum interludes but displayed his proficiency with the sticks, all the while extending members an opportunity to solo and stretch out well beyond the studio versions. After confessing, "I really get swept up in that song," Falk introduced a special guest, which turned out to be singer Carolyn Lee Jones. She just happened to be visiting with her sister nearby. Jones performs both solo and with The Satin Dolls all-female band in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. This was synchronicity at work as she swung with the band in her soulful tenor voice through renditions of familiar classics "Take the A-Train" and "The Nearness of You."

One more that must be mentioned is "Coming to Fruition," the title song of Falk's latest album, self-released in September 2023. Irwinski's soprano saxophone soared with speed and precision on this high-energy number. Phillips, the newest member of the quintet, executed a fuzz-toned bass solo that brought to mind something Stanley Clarke might play.

The group ended the night on Falk's composition, "Giving Thanks." If you are in this close-knit group, you are encouraged to write, you get to have a say in things and you can enjoy being part of what has become a five-man unit, similar to that of a great basketball team like the NBA champion Boston Celtics. Any of the members can chip in and bring ideas to the various arrangements. There is a strong vibe of unity in the Bobby Falk Group that emerges organically in a live setting.

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