Daggerboard the Skipper and Mike Clark

Daggerboard unites bassist Henry Franklin (The Skipper) and legendary Headhunters drummer Mike Clark for a vibrant program of ten original compositions, enriched by orchestrations from Erik Jekabson and Gregory Howe. Rooted in jazz but expansive in scope, the album balances groove-driven interplay with carefully layered ensemble textures. The rhythm section of Clark, Franklin, and Babatunde on congas anchors the music with fluid momentum, while Matt Clark’s piano, Dave MacNab’s guitar, and Jekabson’s soaring trumpet add harmonic depth and melodic clarity. The broader ensemble—featuring Mads Tolling on violin, Matt Renzi on saxophone, Mike Rinta on trombone, Ben Davis on cello, and Jonathan Ring on French horn—brings chamber-like color and dynamic contrast. The result is a richly arranged, rhythmically alive recording that blends modern jazz sensibility with orchestral nuance. My Copy #000599