From his latest release While You Were Sleeping (June), guitarist David White Jr. delivers a genre-bending experience with “The Novitiate.” Blending modern jazz with Latin, rock, bebop, and folk grooves, the track is a seamless fusion of styles wrapped in an electrifying guitar-driven sound.
Featuring the incomparable John Lockwood on bass and the dynamic Mark Walker on drums, “The Novitiate” opens with a melody that recalls the spirit of Coltrane and Billy Cobham. Precise drumming sets the foundation, while the electric guitar layers a bluesy vibe over complex rhythms, creating a sound that’s both rich and multilayered.
Musically sophisticated yet cinematic in scope, the track feels like a soundtrack to an unseen film—pulling listeners into an enigmatic world where improvisation, rhythm, and atmosphere meet. As an instrumental piece, “The Novitiate” is both challenging and rewarding, offering a unique listening experience that highlights David White Jr.’s mastery of fusion.
