Carol Robbins: Harp, Billy Childs: Piano/Fender Rhodes, Bob Sheppard: sax/clarinet, Larry Koonse: Guitar, Curtis Taylor: Trumpet, Darek Oles: bass, Gary Novak: Drums, Benjamin J. Shepherd: electric bass Jazz harpist Carol Robbins’ new CD “Taylor Street” features nine eclectic original compositions showcasing her unique talents along with those of her eminent musical collaborators. Billy Childs, Bob Sheppard and Larry Koonse, fellow group members in Childs’ acclaimed Jazz Chamber Ensemble join her. Bassist Darek Oles and drummer Gary Novak form her world-class rhythm section and trumpeter Curtis Taylor and electric bassist Benjamin J. Shepherd are prominently featured. Piano, drums and bass provide a backdrop for an probing harp improvisation, which sets up “The Flight”, a straight ahead jazz burner. This tune features piano, soprano sax and trumpet solos. " Deep Canyon" was inspired by the winding, lush hills of California’s Benedict Canyon. Curtis Taylor's rich, dark tone lyrically interprets the melody and harp and guitar solos follow. "Taylor Street", the title track, is a witchy, mesmerizing jam featuring a grooving electric bass solo followed by funky choruses on Fender Rhodes and harp. The title references the street in Chicago's Little Italy where Robbins' Italian grandparents and mother lived. Trumpet and tenor sax unite to harmonize the melody of "Full Circle", a buoyant jazz waltz. The piece traverses disparate harmonic zones winding up with a repeated bluesy riff. Harp, guitar and trumpet and piano have the solos. The aptly named "Trekker" evokes an excursion through some unknown landscape. Asian and desert sounds are woven into this jazz journey. Bassist Darek Oles plays a beautiful, rubato intro and then sets up an insistent bass line. Harp and piano solos are followed by group improvisations, which feature everyone. As its title suggests, "Smooth Ride" comes close to the smooth jazz genre. A kind of rhythmic ballad, it features solos on Fender Rhodes and harp. “The Chill”, the second jazz waltz on the CD, is a humorous, mischievous tune with playful muted trumpet and tenor sax harmonizing the melody. It features a languid and swinging tenor solo followed by choruses on harp and guitar. "Grey River" is the project's only true ballad. It is hauntingly beautiful and features the transparent strings of Robbins' harp, sparse piano and the mournful tones of Bob Sheppard's clarinet. In "The Local" Robbins summons forth her R&B chops. She delivers a bold, rhythmic harp solo, which is followed by a grooving tenor sax solo from Bob Sheppard. The incomparable Billy Childs turns in a funky chorus on Fender Rhodes. “Taylor Street” is a departure for Robbins. Her writing here explores several musical genres. Her signature lyricism lives on in the ballad “Grey River” and this project brings new attitudes and expressions through both R&B and traditional jazz. She proves once again that the classical concert harp can inspire the listener in the context of jazz. Artist Website: www.carolrobbins.net