So this week on the JazzWeek Radio Chart ar No 30 is Bob DeVos and his current release Shadow Box. As usual the Safari asks the questions – Who is this Bob Devos, What does he play?? Where is he from?? Turns out the answer to the last question is, just northeast of me in Patterson, New Jersey! What and Who is Bob? Bob is as the title of his website reads a “Jazz Guitarist. His biography at Wikipedia says that his playing style is similar to the playing of Kenny Burrell and Wes Montgomery-( DeVos moves the ball to the 40 yard line) – and he is most noted for his work with organist Richard “Groove” Homes -( he’s over mid field and into the red zone)!!! In his biography below I read “Mr. DeVos has headed his own modern, powerhouse Bob DeVos Organ Trio with Dan Kostelnik on Hammond B3 organ and Steve Johns on drums.”
TOUCHDOWN!! – DeVos!! without listening I think I’ll love his music!! But alas, I must listen before making that statement. So it’s off to Spotify to listen to Shadow Box and after the first listen my thoughts are CONFIRMED. He is what he says he who I thought he was (enough with the football analogies already!! Ok here’s some biographical information from Bob’s e-press kit:
Guitarist, composer, and arranger Bob DeVos is hailed as “a brilliant, knowing bebop player, a master with a sound to die for–rich, full, deep, positive, round and warm.” With long, blues-drenched melodic lines and a horn-like approach, Bob has a signature style of groove and sophistication. Audiences and critics thrill to his “full, liquid tone,” “soulful, intelligent interpretations,” “masterful compositions and arrangements,” and his “infectious, funky groove.” A modern player with strong traditional roots, Bob is at home with straight-ahead jazz, blues, Rhythm & Blues, funk, Latin and more.
Beginning with Breaking the Ice, produced by his great friend Charles Earland, Mr. DeVos’ CDs as a leader for HighNote/Savant and other labels have earned rave reviews and many stars in Downbeat and throughout the jazz media, were high on JazzWeek’s National Airplay Chart for many months, and appeared on many Top Jazz CDs lists. Guest tenor saxophone great Eric Alexander appears on Bob’s Shifting Sands and Playing for Keeps.
Bob’s current CD Shadow Box on American Showplace Records catapulted to the Top Ten Airplay Charts and is enjoying critical acclaim. Tenor saxophonist Ralph Bowen, a frequent collaborator, joins Bob and his trio.
Since 2005, Mr. DeVos has headed his own modern, powerhouse Bob DeVos Organ Trio with Dan Kostelnik on Hammond B3 organ and Steve Johns on drums. He also works frequently with Eric Alexander, Mike LeDonne and Akiko Tsuruga. In 2005, Bob was the musical director/guitarist for the smashing concert, “An Organ Summit Supreme,” reuniting with organ greats Dr. Lonnie Smith and Trudy Pitts and tenor sax legends David “Fathead” Newman and Houston Person. He is a member of Bill Warfield’s New York Jazz Repertory Orchestra. Full Biography & Discography
And now for the music from Bob DeVos-guitar, Dan Kostelnik-organ, Steve Johns-drums. collectively known as The Bob DeVos Trio performing at the Baird Center on March 27, 2010. “I couldn’t pass up the title!!
