May 28, 2018. Powerhouse saxophonist Tia Fuller has always been about jazz. Even when she visited Philly as a touring member of Beyoncé’s all-female band, she would take jazz gigs in town, or hit a jam session. She’s worked with the cream of the crop in the jazz world as well, and the talent that appears on her new album, Diamond Cut, proves just that.
James Genus is a featured bassist on this album, and you can really hear his style emerge on Tia’s bassline- heavy arrangement of “I Love You.” The other featured bassist, Dave Holland, brings his eclectic touch to another standard, “Soul Eyes.”
Other jazz stars featured on this recording of mostly originals are Jack DeJohnette (drums), Bill Stewart (drums), Adam Rogers (guitar) and Sam Yahel (organ).
Also appearing as a drummer on two songs, “The Coming,” and formerly mentioned “Soul Eyes,” is Terri Lyne Carrington, who served as producer for Diamond Cut. Fuller made an appearance on two of Carrington’s ground-breaking recordings, and has taken some cues from the veteran Carrington’s wisdom and eccentricity.
There are a lot of artists playing a lot of instruments on this fifth release from Tia Fuller, but each composition was arranged with a message in mind. Luckily, Tia has the knowledge, chops, and resources to make this musical magic happen.