Sinan Bakir, a Turkish-born composer/guitarist, makes a strong start as a leader on the self-released On My Way. This is an innovative guitar-trio performance with Thomson Kneeland and Mark Ferber. The Hartford, Connecticut-based musician is clearly on the right track to become a leading voice in jazz guitar. Bakir can move easily between a Kenny Burrell-style on chord melody passages (“title track and Steps”) to a more modern, linear approach in John Scofield’s mold (“Stop n’ Go,” “Karma”) Bakir mixes bebop with chromatic trills. He relies heavily on guitaric pull-offs and hammer-ons to create a unique sound that is not easily copied. Bakir’s unique approach is evident in the dirge-like song “Evergreen”. Kneeland’s deep-in-the wood tone cuts through the harmonically rich ballad “Ice Orbits”, while Kneeland gives it an imaginative solo turn. The Latin-tinged “Steps” sees the bassist display even greater technical brilliance, paving the way to one of Bakir’s most inspired improvised journeys, the upbeat “Play.” Kneeland’s prominent presence on the disc is a benefit for all. Ferber’s sensitive drumming adds the right amount to the proceedings and elevates the piece to a high degree of musicality. John Vincent Barron – Jazz Review.com
