Rob Ickes What It Is (CD)

(Rounder Records) 11 tracks

Renowned Nashville session musician Rob Ickes has discovered a surprising new context for the warm sound of the resonator guitar known as the dobro. The dobro, long at home in country and bluegrass music, is here at the center of a modern jazz ensemble featuring saxophone, piano, bass and drums, in an exquisite set of groovy, funky and swinging compositions with bop influences. What It Is is music played with taste, spirit and amazing instrumental technique - a wonderful new sound for fans of bluegrass and jazz alike. “The Dobro is one of the most expressive stringed instruments around, and in the hands of Rob Ickes it sounds like it has found a new home in jazz. This new recording of original compositions and jazz standards is not only impressive, but by turns soulful, beautiful, funky and just plain fun to listen to.” - Paul McCandless