**1/2 Frank Vardaros & Future ReferenceLIVE AT THE REGATTABAR
(Vee)
Future Reference are a sextet of young Boston players bent on keeping loose
bop and blues in the roadhouse vernacular. Inspirations include Art Blakey's
Jazz Messengers and the electric bands of
Freddie Hubbard and
Miles Davis.
Jam-length tracks are leavened by shifts of tempo and texture behind soloists.
Playing is relaxed rather than virtuoso, ensembles are a tad raggedy (as
opposed to fussy), and the vibes are genial, not martial. Altoist Ron
Lowenstein has absorbed
David Sanborn and
Jay Beckenstein;
tenor-man Jim Caladrella has heard Stanley Turrentine and Bob Mintzer; drummer Johan Svensson
evidently grew up with rock bands. The closing, brief "Night in Tunisia" has a
furious Maceo Parker-like
backbeat, Vardaros brandishing his tart, quavery
sound like the young
Dizzy Gillespie.
-- Fred Bouchard
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