It may be wintertime now a winter further darkened by the Covid crisis but Bill OConnells
optimistically-titled A Change is Gonna Come exudes some welcome warmth and sunshine. Even
Bills original Covid Blues displays a subtle sense of playfulness entrusting the slightly
off-kilter blues number to the distinctive tone color of Craig Handys soprano saxophone.
Likewise the plaintive melody of Sam Cookes title track contains a note of optimism here. But
with OConnell at the helm we shouldnt be surprised by imaginative arrangements since he was a
Grammy finalist in 2022 for Best Instrumental Arrangement. He is a real triple-threat in jazz
equally well-known as a composer arranger and instrumentalist having honed his craft
carefully from his days with Mongo Santamaria in the 70s his involvement in the legendary
ensemble Jasmine his gigs with Chet Baker Gato Barbieri Sonny Rollins and others and his
long-time associations with Jerry Gonzalezs Fort Apache Band and the late Latin jazz flautist
Dave Valentin. A Change Is Gonna Come features seven remarkable works by OConnell a four-time
recipient of the Jazz Writer of the Year award from SESAC a tune by Trane the title track by
Sam Cooke and a unique take on the standard My Foolish Heart. With Handy Lincoln Goines
Pedrito Martinez and drummer Steve Jordon (currently taking over for the late Charlie Watts
with the Rolling Stones) Bill OConnells latest recording cements his place as a master of the
broadest spectrum of musical styles a giant of modern jazz and a member of Latin jazz royalty.
