DREW DAVIDSEN
“Spin Cycle”
Kindred spirits: George Benson, Lee Ritenour, Pat Metheny
Shows: Wednesday at Blues Alley. Shows start at 8 and 10 p.m. 202-337-4141. www.bluesalley.com.$20.
When jazz guitarists cite George Benson as a prime influence, the question is, which Benson — the young sideman with an affinity for organ-powered combos and gritty blues grooves or the crowd-pleasing vet who helped define contemporary jazz with “Breezin’ ” and other chart-toppers a generation later?
No doubt Drew Davidsen finds all aspects of Benson’s career inspiring. But as his new album, “Spin Cycle,” reminds us, the Baltimore-bred guitarist has a real knack for evoking the more tuneful, accessible and, yes, breezy side of Benson’s repertoire. Taking his cue from Benson and the late Wes Montgomery, Davidsen often favors gleaming tones and double stops. As a result, much of “Spin Cycle” sports a familiar but appealingly fluid sound, beginning with album’s title track. Combine that with the colorful assortment of R&B and pop beats that makes the album all the more radio-friendly, and it’s a safe bet Davidsen will continue to delight his smooth-jazz following. That he nimbly switch-hits on acoustic guitar (check out the sparkling ballad “Catalina Blue”) won’t hurt his chances, either.
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