JAZZ REVIEW |The Shelley Yoelin/Gabriel Datcu Quintet, "Rojo" by Jeff Cebulski

The Shelley Yoelin/Gabriel Datcu Quintet.

Rojo, Independent release, 2025.

By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Shelley Yoelin, tenor saxophone and flute

Gabriel Datcu, guitar

Sam Robinson, trumpet

Caleb Drake, bass

Rick Shandling, drums

Saxophonist/flautist Shelley Yoelin, who has a long history of education and performance in the Chicago area, spends his summers here and his winters in California, where he also performs in the off-season. A jam session three years ago produced the Shelley Yoelin/Gabriel Datcu Quintet, which has released its first album, Rojo. Instead of merely reproducing post and hard bop classics, the ensemble members have composed all the music, making this new collection reminiscent of the high times of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s as well as a swinging and refreshing representation of modern jazz group dynamics.

Starting this month through October, Tuesday nights at Rojo Gusano, a “modern Mexican” eatery on North Ravenswood Ave., will be swinging with weekly appearances by Yoelin and the quintet, including co-leader Gabriel Dateu on guitar, Sam Robinson on trumpet, Caleb Drake on bass, and Rich Shandling on drums. What patrons will hear is some of the purest hard and post bop music in the city.

Rojo starts with “Secret Steps,” a Yoelin tune derived in part from John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.” The horn thrust atop a vigorous rhythmic push communicates authenticity, leading to a Yoelin solo that evinces the saxophonist’s harmonic depth, later joined by a savory solo from Datcu. Robinson’s “Leia” follows, with a hasty walking bass accompanied by Datcu; the horns render a pleasant melody, and Robinson comments with a Hubbard-like solo.

All the quintet members contribute material. Drake’s “Pensando en Ti” is a lilting waltz with Latin touches. Yoelin establishes the theme on flute as Robinson embellishes in response; Drake’s bass solo reflects a yearning that is the anecdotal basis for the tune. Datcu’s lovely comping provides a cushion for Yoelin’s deep sax statement. The title cut, by Datcu, is a ballad that neatly fits in with the album’s overall harmonic elements. The guitarist adds a vibrato-enhanced solo with a winsome sheen. Shandling, who is excellent throughout, penned “Hurricane Debi,” a robust hard pop allusion to his wife. Along with the drummer’s insistent pace, Drake’s driving bass pushes the musicians forward; Yoelin turns into an angular Wayne Shorter, Robinson a Woody Shaw clone, and Datcu a Charlie Christian disciple.

And it’s Shorter that is referenced on Drake’s finale, “Have You Seen Wayne,” which sounds like a step up-tuned continuance of Yoelin’s “Goin Out” in Datcu’s opening guitar chords. This time the band lands on the Blues, and the mellow swing finishes the album with aplomb.

Congrats to Yoelin, co-producer Ben Scholz, and engineer Erik Rasmussen for the excellent, balanced recording from Paliside Studios. For those seeking a pleasant dinner date, this quintet provides a tasty melodic mole for your meal. Or you can just dig the music, which is appetizing enough.

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About Jeff Cebulski

Jeff Cebulski, who lives in Chicago, is a retired English educator (both secondary and collegiate) and longtime jazz aficionado. His career in jazz includes radio programs at two stations in southeast Wisconsin, an online show on Kennesaw State’s (GA) Owl Radio from 2007 until 2015, and review/feature writing for Chicago Jazz Magazine since 2016, including his column "Jazz With Mr. C". He has interviewed many jazz artists, including Joshua Redman, Charles Lloyd, Dave Holland, John Beasley, and Chris Brubeck, as well as several Chicago-based players. Jeff is a member of the Jazz Journalists Association. Contact Jeff at jeff@chicagojazz.com