Before he’s played a note, Jacob Wise finds himself in that rarest of categories: native Austin jazz artist. As evidenced by his second album, the ATX-born/University of North Texas-educated guitarist and instructor manages to keep his cool despite being in the same bucket as late local heroes Kenny Dorham and Martin Banks. As such, Paseo is no fusion-soaked display of blazing chops with an intrinsic need to prove instrumental bona fides. Instead, Wise picks up the ball from post-bop legends Grant Green and Kenny Burrell, riffing a refined sense of melody and dedication to taste. The axeman and his backing trio, including scene-stealing pianist Damian Garcia, infuse the bopping “Panther Burn” and Latin-laced title track with a musicality that beckons rather than burns. Using his enhanced chops for tuneful accessibility as often as for hot breaks, Wise entices listeners to enter his world rather than intimidating them.
This article appears in September 6 • 2019.
