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Sasha’s Bloc. Heart On Fire
Heart On Fire is the second album released by Sasha's Bloc, a jazz collective founded and directed by Alexander Gershman. Its makeup is pretty unusual for a jazz band — a nonet, a cross between a combo and a mini-orchestra.
The robust sound of the brass section is comparable to that of a big orchestra, particularly with trumpeter Kye Palmer and trombonist Bob McChesney leading the way.
The rhythm section is just as good. Adding to the sound palette from time to time are an accordion, a banjo and a tuba. Though, formally, the collective has only one vocalist, Nora Rotman, it invited guest vocalists for Heart On Fire; among them were Jane Monheit and Elvina Chia.
Almost all of the album's pieces were composed by Gershman, except three that were co-authored with other musicians. Each has the flair of New Orleans and Chicago in the 1920s-40s. Stylistically, Heart On Fire has something of Bucky and John Pizzarelli, Bob Wilber, Dick Hyman and other jazzmen, upholding the traditions of classical jazz.
The Duke, the album's only instrumental piece, is a tribute to the great Duke Ellington. There are two more tributes on the CD — one to Frank Sinatra (Lonely Day In Paris) and the other to Woody Allen (Manhattan).
Heart On Fire is an example of the highest professionalism. Gershman, a surgeon and a musician, is a real master of both.