Henry Godfrey Jazz Orchestra Love Finds Everyone Review

The Henry Godfrey Jazz Orchestra is the creatively original collective lead by drummer Henry Godrey and Boston’s premier young lion musicians. Godfrey is a composer and instrumentalist currently based in Boston, MA. He has performed his own compositions in venues and festivals across North America and South-East Asia. As a composer/arranger, Godfrey has worked with esteemed groups such as the US Army Blues and the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra. Since moving from the Washington DC area, Henry has recorded and performed with the Henry Godfrey Jazz Orchestra, a big band he directs and writes for.

About the Album

Love Finds Everyone draws its influence from the Duke Ellington and Gil Evans lineage but with the fire of Godfrey’s pen. The LP includes the three studio releases from HGJO’s debut EP, plus four new previously unreleased tracks, including three live performances and one remotely recorded arrangement. The pandemic certainly has created close proximate hurdles for musicians, but Godfrey tackled this dilemma with modern technology. Musicians recorded each part of a big band track individually in their homes and sent them to Godfrey, who mixed and mastered this track in addition to writing and performing. The result is a beautifully conceived LP that highlights the strength of Godfrey’s writing, including “Shenandoah,” a traditional song arranged by Godfrey, and “Bad Kids to the Back” written by Justin Stanton (from Snarky Puppy’s most recent release), and arranged by Godfrey. The track features Kyle Zimmerman and Ian Buss trading solos on tenor saxophones and Godfrey soloing on drums.

Our Favorite Tracks

“Shenandoah” begins with beautiful guitar chords that introduces an excellent trombone performance of the melody. His tone, projection, and dynamics are enticing as he plays the much-loved melody. The arrangement has stunning background playing and writing that supports the melody. A beautiful arrangement by Godfrey with a performance that will leave you impressed and wanting more from this ensemble.

“Why Not You” is a Godfrey original, a sparkling tune featuring the orchestra in an upbeat, funky number. Godfrey illuminates the beat with an easy-going feel augmented with strategically placed hits by the horns, with meaningful swells and dotted punctuation throughout with 18 sincere musicians in the orchestra. There is a constant theme of flow throughout the piece that highlights the best of an orchestra sound. Godfrey colorizes with intricate flourishes and tempo changes to add to the dynamism of the track.

In Conclusion

Godrey has assembled a worthy cast of youthful musicians who creatively execute his originals and well-chosen covers. Godfrey is one to watch as a burgeoning composer, arranger and drummer. I expect great things for this blossoming musician. Love Finds Everyone is an excellent introduction to this young composer.

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