Clint Hoover - On This Day

Because of the exploratory nature of jazz, there's often a misconception that a jazz album that doesn't push the boundaries is a failure. I'm as guilty as the next guy when I don't check myself and yet some of my favourite jazz players (Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Gene Harris, Louie Prima...) were not experimentators. They were not the guys pushing the boundaries. Sometimes it's good to get off one's high horses and enjoy a record that doesn't necessarily have the ambition to revolutionise the genre. On This Day is such a record.

On This Day was recorded in one day, maybe not even intended for release originally. It features Clint Hoover on chromatic harmonica (and one cut on diatonic) backed by a double bass player and a pianist. The go through a repertoire of jazz standards in a loose way, and with acoustic freshness. Particular highlights are the opener Cheesecake, and the more somber Lament. While I find that the pieces stretch for a little too long overall, this is still a very pleasant and relaxing listen, and who cares if it doesn't reinvent jazz?