Win Pongsakorn - Time Has Changed (2024)

I first met Win Pongsakorn when he was a student at University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Austria where I was teaching Jazz Composition and Arranging. I remember hearing him for the first time and realized how he has blossomed over the years. Win has a warm, soulful sound and, on this recording, the solo lengths are just right.

He is accompanied by the ever swinging and inventive David Hazeltine on Piano and on 1 track Fender Rhodes, Paolo Benedettini on Bass and Jason Brown on Drums, a very good rhythm section indeed. I also must mention the Producer was the wonderful trumpeter Jim Rotondi.

Most of the originals are by Win, some standouts for me, “Pensri”, a lovely melody in 3/4.

"Hummingbirds at Balata Garden”, great title and nice Bossish feel and dug the changes also a nice bass solo by Paolo.

“Capirinha”, assuming it was named after the wonderful drink has a nice sambaish feel, dug the structure and changes.

Love this version of the Carole King/Gerry Goffin song “Will You Still Love Me”. Dug the way the melody was stated and good solos by David and Win, their solo level is consistently strong through the whole recording.

Really Like the version of the great Harry Warren/Al Dubin standard “You’re Getting To Be a Habit With Me”, a standard not performed very often. You get to hear a short drums solo by Jason with some nice rhythmic hits.

A lovely version of the Fred Lacey ballad “Theme For Ernie”. I think I first heard this on an early Coltrane recording. Beautiful piano intro by David and lovely solo by Win and with a short bass solo by Paolo.

“Imagination”, not the standard but a song written by Charles Stepney, Maurice White and Phillip Bailey. Nice groove, dug the melody and changes.

“Pearls”, an original by David Hazeltine. Dug the melody and changes with good solos by David and Win. Rhythm section sounds especially good on this piece.

Please take the time and listen to Win’s second recording and appreciate this constantly blossoming artist who keeps getting better and better.

Win Pongsakorn Lertvanitsutha – Trumpet
David Hazeltine – Piano
Paolo Benedettini – Double Bass
Jason Brown – Drums

Tracklist
01 - Man In The Mirror
02 - Pensri
03 - Hummingbirds At Balata Garden
04 - Time Has Changed
05 - Caipirinha
06 - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
07 - You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me
08 - Theme For Ernie
09 - Imagination
10 - Pearls