Bassist Matt Dwonszyk is best known as a hired gun, anchoring rhythm sections for saxophonists Julieta Eugenio and Jovan Alexandre, guitarist Tony Davis, and his regular drum partner Jonathan Barber. But, like many first-call sidefolk, the Hartford-based musician leads his own band as well. Live at the Sidedoor captures a gig at the titular club, featuring Barber, saxophonist Matt Knoegel, trumpeter Josh Bruneau, and pianist Taber Gable and a program of mostly originals. Dwonszyk clearly loves the bop era, sticking closely to the intro/head/solos/head tradition. But when we say he loves that style, we mean he loves it. While his frontline, particularly Knoegel and Gable, takes the melodic and improvisational lead on ripping tunes like “Stage Dive,” “Alexandre the Great,” and “Billy’s Den,” the entire enterprise is galvanized by the leader’s driving basslines. Frankly, Donszyk sounds like he’s having the time of his life pushing the band along. Opener “Morning Dreams” sets the tone immediately, hooking the band, the listener, and a very vocal audience in a way of which most musicians only dream. With Live at the Sidedoor, Downszyk reminds us that jazz isn’t just a great art form – it’s also a damn good time.
