Jeff Jenkins

With influences ranging from Weather Report and Pat Metheny to the Yellowjackets, Jeff Jenkins had an interesting, if slightly uneven, fusion/crossover release in One World. The CD could have been less produced, less arranged and not quite as mannered, but even so, pianist/keyboardist Jenkins proves himself to be a talented composer on memorable pieces like the mysterious "White Hunter," the charming "Morning Again" and the optimistic "Mandela!" (an ode to South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela). Combining jazz with pop, rock and world music (including African and Asian music), Jenkins takes some chances and keeps things unpredictable. Unfortunately, this little-known album (which employs Ernie Watts on tenor sax) didn't get a lot of attention and was a modest seller even by jazz standards. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide