by James Pellegrino

When falling in love, sometimes the words wont come to mind.  It can be difficult to think clearly, and all of the florid statements that pop into your mind can seem trite or simply not good enough.  This is the feeling I left with after seeing the modern jazz quartet, Tin Pan, play at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

What I can say for certain about TP is that they walk the line between jazz, blues, and a range of folk music, but they are entirely modern and refreshingly young for how talented they are.  The band came about because of “a need for this kind of music,” said Jesse Selengut in a press release.  Aside from being the composer, Selengut is the Trumpet and lead vocals.  When you combine Selengut with Stefan Zeniuk on the reeds, though mainly the tenor and alto saxophone, you get a verifiable wall of horn fuelled brilliance. 

Zeniuk has a grasp on timing, a mastery of his instruments, and the balls-out insanity manifest in shenanigans both on and off stage.  At one point Zeniuk might be jumping off of Peter “Baby Hands” Maness’ upright bass, then he’ll be running through the audience screeching out a solo as he walks across arm rests, all before heading backstage to do an intimate shadow performance with an unnamed voluptuous performer.  He’s just that good.

I can also say with no uncertainty that you should go out and see the Tin Pan whenever and wherever possible.  Tin Pan is often found playing in the NYC Transit system, and Central Park.

TP sports two albums currently, which they pedal while playing a healthy 180 plus shows each year.  Not too shabby for a NYC based band that formed in 2006.  For more information visit the band's website.