Wally Schnalle (It Rhymes) Quintet
Why Do They Call You That?
Retlaw Records RR-4001-2

Wally Schnalle, drums; Dann Zinn, tenor sax; John Worley, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Murray Low, piano; Tom Bockhold, bass

Wow! My kind of music, hard-driving, crisp and clean, intricate but melodic. This is the kind of music Pete Douglas, of the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society, describes as "pow!"

This disc consists of original music composed by Wally. Excellent sidemen. Dann Zinn's tenor stays just on the edge, going inside, then outside accompanied by constant ass-kicking drumming by Wally. Murray Low's piano leaves no empty spaces and includes tasteful comping with some beautiful solos. John Worley adds crispness with his trumpet, and his fluegelhorn takes the edge off when necessary. I did not care for the bass - neither the instrument nor its contribution.

Having sat behind the control board in a radio station makes me appreciate a CD cover you can read. This one, although cleverly designed, is very difficult to read. But who cares. Overall the music is great. Excellent job, Wally.

by Haybert K. Houston

Why Do They Call You That? is available through the Jazz Now Direct CD Store.