Having lived in New York City once upon a life, its effect and impact on me remains. Other than films, one thing that keeps the greatest city on this planet still alive in my thoughts, memories, and heart is music. 

It is always interesting to see how musicians interpret life in the Empire State. As such, I absolutely love Dave Brubeck’s "Jazz Impressions of New York" (1965, Columbia) that alternates between the tender and breezy.

The Sonny Stitt Quartet’s "New York Jazz" (1965, Verve) is captivating and joyous. 

The Peter Malick Group (featuring Norah Jones)’s "New York City" (2003, Koch) is a sultry blues-jazz trip.

Joe Jackson’s foray into pop jazz with the magnificent "Body & Soul" (1984, A&M) beautifully captured a bygone age of New York including its Hispanic roots.

And to share one last among so many, British group Down to the Bone’s "From Manhattan to Staten Island" (1996, Internal Bass) is full of soulful grooves that captures the excitement and energy of traversing the city’s five boroughs.

When I learned of "Johnny Alegre 3," the acclaimed guitarist and jazz musician's “New York Album” back in 2015 (when I got the compact disc), I looked forward to getting a copy of the album. While not a direct paean to the city, it would be still interesting to see how the album would turn out and the story behind it.

“In late 2005 after I launched 'Affinity' in London, the late British producer Alan Bates gave me some practical advice – that I need to record ‘a breakthrough album’ (his words) with renowned jazz masters. He said, ‘it would open doors for me in the international community.’”

Months later, when Alegre was ready to record the album, he remembered Ron McClure who he befriended when Blood, Sweat & Tears performed in Manila.

“He quickly agreed to play with me,” recounted Johnny. 

Fortuitously, Ron was also in a band called Quest at that same time as well. That band included saxophonist Dave Liebman, pianist Richie Beirach, and drummer Billy Hart.

“So recruiting Billy to play with me was straight forward,” shared Alegre who bared that Hart was a jazz hero as he had performed and recorded several albums with Herbie Hancock. “Billy also played with Miles Davis, so my ‘disciplic succession’ was fulfilled.”

Johnny Alegre, Billy Hart and Ron McClure 

Outstanding choices as their respective resumes include performing with a who’s who in jazz as well as being a part of some memorable if not great releases. 

McClure began his career performing with Buddy Rich, and later with Charles Lloyd’s acclaimed quartet that included pianist Keith Jarrett and drummer Jack DeJohnette.

Hart has virtually played with blues and jazz royalty that includes Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Herbie Hancock, Wes Montgomery, Pharaoh Sanders, Miles Davis, Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, and Blood, Sweat & Tears to name but a very few. Hart has appeared in over 200 albums certifying himself as a much valued and in demand drummer.

McClure hails from the Tri-State area while Hart played the drums for German jazz pianist Joachim Kuhn’s excellent "Nightline New York" album (1981, Sandra Music Productions). So they know the NYC vibe and groove.

As good as McClure and Hart are, they accede to Johnny’s guitar that takes center stage. And he makes full use of the canvas right on front of him showing spontaneous creativity, a sensitivity to the mood, and a willingness to change pace and rev it up. His licks are a treat. 

And I love the album because it gets the quiet and toned down neighborhoods of the West Village, Park Slope, or even Clinton Hill. Interestingly, the last two locales are in Brooklyn where Johnny and his jazz cohorts recorded the album.

I think it is a nice soundtrack to have when biking or lazily strolling around these areas. I wish this album were out when I lived there. But at least, it takes me back. 

Even “Conundrum” that has a rock feel to it reminds me of driving down Queens Boulevard. 

Overall, "Johnny Alegre 3" is a good album where in the words of the man himself: “Jazz is about improvisation as you know. And this was jazz in its purest form. We weren’t out to record a hit song. We were up there taking the music to the moon.”

Now, this darn good album is taking it to another level – vinyl. "Johnny Alegre 3" (2024, Backspacer Records) makes the jump in excellent fashion. Released as a double LP to spread the tracks around, and at 45 rpm, the sound quality is great. There is an insert featuring a review of renowned jazz critic Scott Yanow’s review of "Johnny Alegre 3" -- something for jazz fans to read through as they take in this must-have Filipino jazz record.