FRANK IRWIN QUINTET
Genres: Nu Jazz, Jazz Related Electronica, Hip-Hop • United States

There’s no one named Frank Irwin in Portland’s Frank Irwin Quintet. The band’s electric tunes—written by their leader, bassist Chris Frank—prioritize concise melodicism over extended blowing. While it’s no surprise Frank’s bass drives several of the songs on the band's tight, rock groove-laden album Better/Broken as well as their 2019 EP, Teleportation, they avoid indulgent soloing. Instead, the band focuses on the crisp musical interplay between able bandmates, who include saxophonists Ian Christensen and Nicole McCabe, March Fourth trombonist James Powers, guitarist Corey Heppner, and drummer Alexander Thomas. BRETT CAMPBELL, www.wweek.com