Featured Release

Jacob Do — First Chorus

Album Overview

Tenor saxophonist and composer Jacob Do brings together the language of bebop, the interplay of a working jazz ensemble, and his own compositional perspective on First Chorus, his debut full-length recording for Bent River Records.

The album follows his earlier octet project, Maybe, Live at the Yardbird Suite, and places Do in a smaller ensemble setting alongside musicians who have contributed to his musical development. Alto saxophonist Donny Kennedy, pianist André White, bassist Paul Johnston, and drummer Dave Laing form the core group, with Canadian saxophonist PJ Perry appearing as a guest.

Recorded during a single nine-hour session, First Chorus draws on the spontaneity of musicians responding to one another in real time. The repertoire moves between original compositions, jazz standards, and less frequently performed material, reflecting Do’s interest in the relationship between inherited musical language and individual expression.

The album’s title refers to the beginnings that occur throughout a musician’s life: the first chorus of a solo, a first recording, or the opening statement of a new musical direction.

From the album…

“Flow” places the ensemble’s rhythmic energy and improvisational interaction in the foreground. The composition moves at a brisk tempo, with Do’s tenor saxophone and Donny Kennedy’s alto saxophone engaged in a lively musical exchange.

The performance also gives drummer Dave Laing room to extend the rhythmic conversation, connecting the horn improvisations with the momentum of the rhythm section.

As an introduction to First Chorus, “Flow” illustrates the relationship between Do’s writing and the collective improvisational language that shapes the recording.

Listen to the album

Recommended listening: Start with “Flow” for its forward-moving ensemble interaction, then continue with “Stardust” to hear Do’s approach to a familiar standard. “All of You,” featuring PJ Perry, provides another perspective on the album’s connection between generations of jazz musicians.

Album Details

Artist: Jacob Do
Album: First Chorus
Label: Bent River Records
Release Date: November 6, 2026
Featured Track: Flow — 4:59

Personnel

• Jacob Do — tenor saxophone
• Donny Kennedy — alto saxophone
• André White — piano
• Paul Johnston — bass
• Dave Laing — drums
• PJ Perry — guest alto saxophone

Recording / Production

Recorded during a single nine-hour session.

Additional studio, engineering, mixing, mastering, and production credits have not been confirmed.

Track Listing

The following eight titles have been identified for the album. Official running order is not yet confirmed.

1. Flow
2. La Grande Sortie
3. Hairy Ed
4. Time-Lee
5. Stardust
6. That’s Earl, Brother
7. The Highest Mountain
8. All of You