True Stories is the solo debut album by New Orleans based jazz bassist and composer Jesse Boyd. The recording features Michael Pellera on the piano and Troy Davis on drums. Released under independent record label Contrabass Music, the album draws freely from the influences of New Orleans and New York jazz, given the unique perspective that the three musicians have developed over years of performing as sidemen with many of the jazz greats. Influenced by the Keith Jarrett Trio and the Brad Mehldau Trio, Jesse Boyd set up to pay tribute to his love for jazz standards, adding elements from the modern New Orleans style of playing. In fact, that is what makes the Jesse Boyd trio unique, according to the trio's pianist, Michael Pellera. Michael Pellera himself is one of the most respected pianists in the New Orleans modern jazz scene. Not only is he a pioneer in music education, as the jazz chair of the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts but he has a complete discography of his own, featuring players like John Vidacovich, Bill Summers, Tony Dagradi, Steve Masakowski and Bill Huntington. Playing drums from the age of three, Troy Davis studied under New Orleans-born clarinet player Alvin Batiste at Baton Rouge's Southern University. In 1986 he moved to New York, where he spent two and a half years with Betty Carter's band. He then joined Terence Blanchard s band in 1990 and can be heard on several of Blanchard's film scores and recordings for Columbia/Sony Music. 0Review "True Stories is the Real Deal" Those who hang around traditional jazz spots like the Palm Court know Jesse Boyd as an upright bass player with a feel for New Orleans classic jazz. Audiences who catch him playing at modern jazz venues consider him to have the chops and ears to lay down the bottom as leader as well as supporting artists like vocalist Leah Chase. Boyd, a professor at Loyola University who began his musical journey in the gospel world, even utilizes the acoustic bass when hitting on R&B with the likes of Charmaine Neville. On his latest album, True Stories, Boyd fully displays his progressive approach heading an impressive jazz trio with strong regulars on the scene, pianist Michael Pellera and drummer Troy Davis. Like the weather on a summer s day, the music on True Stories continually changes. It somehow suggests, and seems especially suited for, a rainy afternoon as it moves from the relative calm of the opening number, The Torn Meadow, to the rapid-fire bursts of Big Pine. All of the material comes from Boyd s obviously sophisticated pen. The excellent sound quality produced on the album, particularly that of the big, woody, rounded bass, absolutely contributes to the album s success. Fans of modern jazz will appreciate the quality of musicianship and the players total compatibility. For those who don t regularly dig into the modern style or know these gifted artists, the CD holds allure in the variety it offers as well as its pure musicality. While the music could be considered complex, it welcomes listeners with a touches of familiarity. For example, Pellera cleverly and tastefully references the chestnut Summertime on the funk-tinged August. Here, as well as on other tunes, Boyd s bass steps out of its role as rhythm maker to state the tune s melody. The musical breezes that blow from south of the border on Red offer Davis the opportunity to display his wide-range of drum techniques. On the meditative Azile the drummer s use of brushes suggests a certain breathy ambiance. The sun peeks out as the trio starts swinging on the closing Every Other. True Stories boasts genuine jazz played by authentically dedicated musicians with a real sense of its worth. --Geraldine Wyckoff, The Louisiana Weekly