Rudy Van Gelder’s Englewood Cliffs studio is known for its innumerable catalogue of iconic contemporary jazz records, and guitarist Dave Stryker adds his name to that elite lineage with his latest record, “Blue Fire: The Van Gelder session.” For Stryker, this album represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream. Having come up through the ranks alongside legends like Jack McDuff and Stanley Turrentine, Blue Fire is a statement of his personal evolution.
At its core, Blue Fire is modern jazz steeped in the organ trio tradition, a format that demands trust, and responsiveness. Without a bass, rhythmic momentum must be shared, and Stryker’s trio thrives in that openness. The album is a masterclass in texture and conversation, seamlessly blending hard-bop agility and soul-jazz warmth.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/blue-fire-the-van-gelder-session-mw0004722281
The opening track, “Van Gelder’s Place,” immediately signals the theme of history and connection, setting a reflective tone that acknowledges the studio itself as an unseen fourth member. From there, the record unfolds like a guided walk through different emotional and rhythmic spaces, all unified by the trio’s shared language.
Stryker is joined by his longtime collaborators Jared Gold on Hammond organ and McClenty Hunter on drums, a trio that has worked together for roughly two decades. That longevity is audible as there is no sense of hierarchy here: only collective momentum.
Stryker’s guitar tone is warm and articulate with his solos really shining through on the title track “Blue Fire.” Throughout the album, his performances unfold in long, conversational lines that feel spoken rather than announced.
Gold’s organ work is both foundational and exploratory, and while he stands out on “Waiting for Ruby,” his real strength is to stay relevant even when he isn’t in the spotlight. The bass lines, harmonic color, and expressive solos that push against the edges of the groove add a depth and character that can only be produced with experience.
Hunter, meanwhile, is the trio’s quiet engine: agile, alert, and constantly shaping the music’s direction without ever dominating it. The trio’s interplay is especially effective in Van Gelder’s famously resonant room as notes hang just long enough to breathe, allowing ideas to develop naturally rather than rush forward.
Blue Fire: The Van Gelder Session doesn’t aim to be a flashy record. Its strength lies in clarity, connection, and craft. This is jazz as a lived experience; shaped by decades of playing, listening, and collaboration, captured in a room that has heard it all before.