Glen Boldman & The Philadelphia 5 Review

Ben Goldman is the leader of the band Glen Boldman & The Philadelphia 5. Goldman is a versatile percussionist, drummer and music educator. In 2017, Goldman was a guest artist and teacher at the Tefen Music Festival in Israel, where he performed with the Faculty Jazz combo and led steel drum masterclasses. When not performing as an associate artist with the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, Goldman maintains an active and diverse performance schedule in Philadelphia playing drumset, timpani, and steel drums. As an educator, teaches private students and is the instructor of percussion and drumset at Cecil College in Maryland. Goldman holds an MM from University of Delaware and a BFA in multi-focus percussion performance from California Institute of the Arts.

About the Album

Drummer, Goldman is a skilled percussionist and drummer. The heavily slanted percussion-based album is a winning sound that features a wide diversity of jazz, from the fusion based “The Slizzard,” to the straight ahead “The Hip Dip,” the ensemble weaves its way through the tune with an underpinning of tension below the straight-ahead melody. Saxophonist Andrew Bedell puts forth a robust solo filled with heavily arpeggiated lines and a full range of his horn.  While vibraphonist Ian Kurlan colorizes, before embarking in a delightfully melodic solo. “Klezmerica,” is a middle-eastern flavored tune with trumpeter Blayne Salerni stepping forth to shine.  His solo is warm and round with a sense of muscularity.  Of note, is Kevin Cross’ guitar solo, filled with an internationally flavored tone, his single note choices are spot on for this tune.  The ensemble is a well-oiled machine. Goldman certainly has chosen a strong grouping of musicians to convey his compositions with flair.

Our Favorite Track

Our favorite track is “The Slizzard.” Goldman’s opening drum statement is brilliant. His drumming is melodic and develops motifs across his kit and he drives the tune with Nobles’ bass line. The melody is interesting, and the 5/4 feel is natural and in the pocket. The counterpoint between the horns and the guitar and vibraphone is of note. The feel changes in the solos keep the song moving and sounding fresh. Bedell’s solo is colorful and passionate. Salerni has a warm trumpet sound and penitently develops his lines. We also like how Cross and Kurlan worked together to accompany all the soloist. Cross’ guitar solo brought in elements of rock fusion, which built the energy. The tune ends with the creative melody and an ending that puts a strong punctuation to the song.

In Conclusion

Glen Boldman & The Philadelphia 5 take a fresh outlook on jazz and infuse a solid dose of jazz-funk and groove.  They still honor the time-tested traditions of jazz, but also draw from various world music idioms to flavor their music with a fresh international sound.  Goldman’s prowess on the kit and his leadership of the ensemble is clearly evident. This emerging group is certainly one to watch.

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