Daggerboard’s The Skipper and Mike Clark brings together a deep bench of West Coast jazz talent anchored by two revered rhythm masters, bassist Henry “The Skipper” Franklin and drummer Mike Clark. The project, led by trumpeter and composer Erik Jekabson and producer-guitarist Gregory Howe, unfolds as a richly textured ensemble effort built around original compositions […]
Daggerboard’s The Skipper and Mike Clark brings together a deep bench of West Coast jazz talent anchored by two revered rhythm masters, bassist Henry “The Skipper” Franklin and drummer Mike Clark. The project, led by trumpeter and composer Erik Jekabson and producer-guitarist Gregory Howe, unfolds as a richly textured ensemble effort built around original compositions by Jekabson and Howe. Franklin’s warm, authoritative bass lines and Clark’s crisp, funk-inflected drumming provide the album’s steady foundation, while Jekabson on trumpet carries much of the melodic narrative with a tone that balances lyricism and bite. Surrounding them is a versatile group that expands the sonic palette, including Matt Clark on piano, Dave Macnab on guitar, Babatunde Lea on percussion, Dave Ellis on saxophone, Sheldon Brown on saxophone, Matt Renzi on woodwinds, and Mads Tolling on violin, with additional orchestral colors supplied by Mike Rinta on trombone, Ben Davis on cello, and Jonathan Ring on French horn. The result is a recording that blends chamber-like arranging with groove-driven interplay, highlighting the seasoned chemistry of Franklin and Clark while allowing the larger ensemble to shape a modern, atmospheric jazz soundscape.
