Johnny Ferreira is a Canadian who just released his newest album "Rock and Roll Saxophonist". His primary musical influences include sax players Illinois Jacquet, Big Jay McNeely, and Joe Huston. Previously Johnny worked with The Colin James Little Big Band, where he was featured in a horn section which included Roomful of Blues members Greg Piccolo, Doug James, Rich Lataille, Bob Enos and Carl Querfurth. This is Johnny's fourth album and on it he has focused on an early Rock n' roll sound. Johnny states the "roll" comes from jump blues or swing and it differentiates this music from "Rock".

The songs are all written or co-written by Johnny except one. He also handles all the production chores. The album rolls relentlessly from start to finish. Opening with a boogie woogie piano "Wine Women & Song" takes off when Johnny sails into his first sax solo, squealing and squawking until Colin James' guitar, relieves him. Johnny along with sisters Melissa and Cecile Larochelle are effective as "backup singers". Johnny's second solo is slamming; the track ends with the trumpet, trombone and sax trading phrases.

"Swing That Thing" continues to use the "backup singers" and they are used effectively on this sonnet. "Dancin' is Not My Thing" opens with either Cathy St Germain or Saffron Henderson (both singers are used on this track) asking "Can I please have this dance". The call and response make for some joyous noise. "If That Ain't Love" is the only song not authored by Johnny Ferreira and it comes from the German blues band BB and The Blues Shacks. Johnny's sax is blistering.

"Lady" is a slower ballad and a good one. It gives this set a break from its relentless pace. Johnny's sax and Graham Guest's Hammond B3 complete this lady's choice dance type number. "Let's Rock Tonite" is a Louis Jordan type romp. "Mean Mr. Senf" is a sax instrumental and Johnny Ferreira sounds like Bill Doggett, it's that good. "Nighty Gown" is a sexy song and possibly the albums best lyric, "I don't even watch the Stanley Cup, when you're wearing that nighty gown".

Next is "Creeps", "always touching; man you give me the creeps". The cd concludes with "Chompin' At The Bit", another instrumental. "Rock & Roll Saxophonist" wails from start to finish; and they called it Rock and Roll. This is one of 2006's best self produced efforts, check out Johnny Ferreira at www.johnnyferreira.com

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com