Chicago-native Lily Finnegan returned to her native city in 2022 after earning her Masters in Music degree from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Upon her return, Ms. Finnegan immersed herself in the Creative Music Scene as part of Ken Vandermark’s Edition Redux, the Sarah Clausen Trio, and an experimental project with violinist gabby fluke-mogul. She also formed her Quartet, featuring AACM veterans Edward Wilkerson Jr (tenor saxophone) and Fred Jackson Jr, plus bassist Nick Macri. The music on her debut album reflects her City in its bustle, its noise, and its complexity. That, dear Reader, is a good thing.
“Heat On” (Cuneiform Records) is the name of the album and of the group. Ms. Finnegan composed all the music, writing to the improvisational strengths of the front line and knowing what a fine foundational bassist Macri is. The opening track, “Green Milk”, bursts out of the speakers with a sense of urgency that is contagious. Both Wilkerson Jr and Jackson Jr create powerful solos over the thundering rhythm section. The leader displays her fiery side in her solo before the bassist reintroduces the opening theme.
Listen below to “RSJ”, how the bassist feeds off the reeds who are engaged in quite a conversation before the piece heads off in a different direction. Macri’s volcanic-like electric bass work certainly feeds off the energy of the leader while the saxophonists play repetitive phrases, which keeps the music from dissolving into pure noise.
The centerpiece of the eight-song program is the three-part, nearly 13-minute “Beltline”. “Part 1” opens with a funky, writhing rhythm that creates a solid cushion for both saxophonists to dig into. Wilkerson Jr, whose career stretches out over five decades (perhaps best known as the leader of 6 Bold Souls) is energized throughout the album. His solos crackle, cry, moan, and scream while Jackson Jr (mostly known as a Chicago stalwart) has a smoother sound, leaning more towards longer, single-note runs that often have a bluesy tinge. The saxophonists have quite a playful time throughout “Part 3”, their interactions building in intensity without boiling over.
The album closes with “The Great”, a delightful rambling piece that highlights Ms. Finnegan’s delight in pushing and prodding the soloists. She “kicks” hard, not letting up even as the bassist creates his handsome solo.
“Heat On”, the album, is a calling card for Heat On, the group. For many, the recording serves as an introduction to the talents of drummer and composer Lily Finnegan. Not only is she keeping the tradition of the Chicago Creative Music scene alive but also pointing the way to an exciting future. May she go from strength to strength!
For more information, go to www.lilyglickfinnegan.com/.
Give a listen: