The intriguing, exciting father-son project Regeneration stirs memories of such past blends of poetry and music as Jayne Cortez and Ornette Coleman, Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, or what The Last Poets dubbed “Jazzoetry.” This duo is composed of longtime Nashville trumpet master Rod McGaha and his rapper and community activist son Mike Floss. McGaha’s dynamic, expressive trumpet solos have previously been featured in a host of settings, from powerhouse bop and mainstream jazz to gospel and R&B, and he’s comfortable operating behind Floss’ commentary. Floss has verbal flair and a natural entertainer’s presence, while McGaha instinctively knows when and where to add punch to the flow via mutes or wah pedal. Their February show at The Blue Room at Third Man Records unveiled what McGaha labeled “a work in progress,” a peek into a collaboration that feels like it has all the ingredients to be exciting and creatively rewarding for the long term.
Best Collaborative Project
Regeneration
Mike Floss and Rod McGaha with Regeneration at The Blue Room, 2/24/2024
