Mark Whitfield’s second release is somewhat more varied than his debut recording, The Marksman. Backed by an all-star rhythm section—Kenny Barron on piano, Ron Carter on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums—Whitfield has an ideal group to engage in hard-blowing improvisation. Whitfield is out of the George Benson/Grant Green tradition of jazz guitar playing. On [...]
This is the second Branford Marsalis recording to feature him in a trio setting (the first was Trio Jeepy). The absence of a piano seems to have presented Marsalis, bassist Bob Hurst and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts with greater harmonic challenges. Hurst’s playing really stands out throughout the album, especially in the closing composition, his [...]
This reviewer will have to admit to not expecting much from this CD, having been disappointed by an earlier recording this year by Dizzy Gillespie—namely, the Live at Festival Hall album. I thought the performances were too long and Gillespie sounded like he was having an off night. However, this recording came as a surprise. [...]
Johnny Griffin’s first U.S. recording in too many years is everything that you’d expect from someone who has worked with Thelonious Monk and Art Blakey—hard swinging! What one is immediately impressed with is Griffin’s tone, deeply rooted in the tradition of Ben Webster and perhaps similar to Dexter Gordon. His solos make extensive use of [...]
From the first note to the last, Donald Harrison and his group swing as if their lives depended on it. This is the first U.S. recording of the band he co-led with trumpeter Terence Blanchard. Joining him on this recording are Cyrus Chestnut (from his previous group) on piano, Marlon Jordan on trumpet, Christian McBride [...]
Stephen Scott is a former Harper Brothers Band pianist. His first solo album features such noteworthy players as Joe Henderson, Jeff Watts and Roy Hargrove, as well as his own formidable skills as a composer and arranger. Scott’s writing shows a strong late ’60s Herbie Hancock influence, especially on the title track and “Steps, Paths [...]
At first, the release of these three discs appeared to be an exercise in excessiveness. After all, Marsalis’ Standard Time Vol. 2: Intimacy Calling came out this year. However, after repeated listenings, the cohesiveness of this collection becomes apparent. Soul Gestures in Southern Blue is presented as a “Blues Cycle.” This is not just a [...]
One of this year’s most anticipated releases is the new recording by New Orleans-born trumpeter Terence Blanchard. This is his first recording (with the exception of his work on the Mo’ Better Blues soundtrack) since the breakup of the celebrated group he co-led with alto saxophonist Donald Harrison. The result was well worth the wait. [...]
