Guitarist Brent Laidler’s new project (his second as leader) follows his well-received 2017 release, No Matter Where Noir. It was a delight to see that his latest album, Wouldn’t Be Here Without You, has appeared even higher (at #5) on The Roots Music Report's Top 50 Jazz Album Chart. Laidler had originally planned to name this album after his composition, “A Second Chance” that has a good-time, upbeat New Orleans feel and also features Mark Buselli’s trumpet and Ned Boyd’s sax. While planning material for the album, Laidler lost both his father and his friend and mentor Tony Zamora, Director of the Black Cultural Center at Purdue University. Their passing caused Laidler to rewrite, rename and recognize “Wouldn’t Be Here Without You” as the title track in tribute to his family, friends, mentors and fellow musicians who have helped and supported him. Besides Laidler, Buselli and Boyd, this album also features the fine musicianship of Jamie Newman (organ), Scott Pazera (bass) and Richard “Sleepy” Floyd (drums).

Brent Laidler studied music education and composition at Western Michigan University, and he now wears many hats as guitarist, composer, arranger, performer, clinician, radio host, band instrument repairman and small business owner. He manages to keep his involvement with music both fun and entertaining as he displays masterful chops with an eclectic repertoire of ten originals ranging from inventive smooth jazz (“Keeping it Simple” and “Sunday Mood”) to Latin (“Pretty Little Bossa,” “One More (A Samba)” and “You Ain’t the Bossa Me”). His jazz-oriented panache stays melodically free-flowing, and it might’ve been interesting to also hear Laidler cut loose with some original jazz-rock fusion or funk. 

Embellished with elegant organ keys, fluid flugelhorn lines, moving bass lines and propulsive percussion, this album has a number of tunes with sweetly effervescent moments. “City by the Bay,” “Foo's Blues” and “Walt's Waltz” are more meditative with their slower, gentle and sensitive grooves. In the former, Boyd’s flute provides an exquisite sound that is both artistic and expressive.  An indisputably top-tier guitar-slinger, Leidler leaves us with music full of precision, intonation and technique. As the album draws to a close, we’re left wanting to hear more from this fine guitarist who plays with clear definition and direction. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)