With The Wind And The Rain - Pure Pleasure from Guitarist Joshua Breakstone

I decided to look at guitarist Joshua Breakstone’s Facebook Page as I listened to his new CD, With The Wind And The Rain.  His lead photo from his practice room was the atmospheric view over the Hudson River with the New York City skyline in a velvet fog.  That must be a beautiful space because it has helped veteran jazz guitarist Joshua Breakstone further refine and define his tone, approach and construction of brilliant solo passages.  Joshua Breakstone has been recognized as a major force in jazz guitar since the late 1970s.  His first recording as a leader, Wonderful! Was released in 1983 and from that point on, Joshua Breakstone was a prolific recording artist.  The past few years have been quiet ones for Breakstone, but as we listen to The Wind And The Rain, we know why: he was working on tricky and challenging repertoire!  Accompanied by bassist Lisle Atkinson and drummer Eliot Zigmund with guest appearances from cellist Mike Richmond, Joshua Breakstone re-invents jazz standards by Keter Betts, Kenny Dorham, Oscar Pettiford and Paul Chambers.  It is an assortment of 1950s and ‘60s hard bop tunes viewed through a 2013 lens. If you’re fond of resonant strings and compelling melodies, you will appreciate The Wind And The Rain newly released on Capri Records by Joshua Breakstone.  Make sure you tune in to 89.1 Jazz this morning for the WEMU premiere.