Keith Wesby is a virtuoso jazz bassist.  He is perhaps equally notable as a composer, having contributed 11 original compositions on his first CD, "Once and Again" and 9 compositions on his latest CD, "Before Dawn".

Keith, who has performed a wide variety of music since 1983 (including jazz, pop and gospel), put together a diverse and consistently colorful set for Before Dawn. The rhythms are quite catchy and many of the themes are memorable. Keith’s outstanding bass playing is heard throughout each track along with amazing performances by trumpeter Aaron Noe, saxophonists Rob Holmes and Steve Wolfe, and pianist Charles Jablow.

Among the more colorful selections are the purposeful and slightly Asian melody of “A New Day,” the soulful tenor playing on “ Lite Tower ,” the wistful and endearing “Her Waltz,” and the funky “No Room For Error.” Keith takes “Thursday Morning” and “Chopinism” (an adaptation of parts of Frederick Chopin Opus 28) to a new level as unaccompanied bass solos.

All in all, this is a memorable and well-conceived set of modern yet accessible music that grows in interest with each listen.