I got into an ebay bidding war with a cat for this CD. We had taken the price all the way up to $36 before I bailed. Fortunately I took a chance and visited Half.com and found it for $29. Word to the wise ? check Half.com before getting into bidding contests for CDs and LPs. You may find a better deal.

What more can be said about Freddie Hubbard?s playing during the Blue Note years that hasn?t already been said by me or others? His technique is incredible, his tone is fat and his musical ideas are fresh. Joining him on this set are Wayne Shorter, McCoy Turner, Art Davis, Elvin Hayes and Benard McKinney on euphonium. Freddie wrote three of tunes (Arietis, Birdlike and Crisis) and those are my favorites.

I am hoping Blue Note does a RVG edition. If they do ? it will only cost you $12 instead of the $31 that I panned out. It was worth ever penny though.

Before I even talk about what I love in this album, let’s look at the
musicians:

Lee Morgan (trumpet), Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone), Herbie Hancock
(piano), Grant Green (guitar), Reginald Workman (bass) and Billy Higgins
(drums).

I could honestly just end this posting now.  Just seeing a cast like
this assembled for one album should be enough to make you run out and buy
it.  Everyone on this album performs spectacularly.

Of all of Lee Morgan’s albums – this is my all time favorite.  Lee’s
playing is what you normally expect – soaring, exciting, daring but there is a
certain feel in this recording that I love.  All of the tunes are
originals, written by Morgan and they are all fantastic.  My favorites are
the title cut (it is a true masterpiece), the energetic "Mr. Kenyatta"
(Lee’s solo is one the greatest I’ve ever heard – he really kicks things into
high gear the group follows) and somber the "Melancholee."

I’m sure most experienced jazz listeners have this album in their collection
and they would agree it is a must have.  If you are looking for an example
as to why trumpet players rave about Lee Morgan this album coupled with
"Sidewinder" would be all the evidence your ears need.

Maybe I need to get out more. Maybe I need to travel in different trumpet circles. Why haven't I heard the name Charles Tolliver more when people talk about great trumpet players? I was turned on to him by listening to Brian Lynch's “Tribute to the Trumpet Masters” album where Brian wrote a tune for him. I was familiar with all the players except for Charles and made it a point to find out more about him.

The Ringer was the perfect introduction to this amazing and exciting player. He reminds me of Woody Shaw in many regards with his aggressive style and crystal clear tone. Check out Charles handles the energy packed title tune – “The Ringer” and gets smooth and mellow with “Mother Wit”. His writing really shines on “Plight” and “On the Nile”.

Do yourself a favor and check out Charles Tolliver.

I know I already posted a review on this album earlier but the RVG edition is now available!

My original review is below….

I got into an ebay bidding war with a cat for this CD. We had taken the price all the way up to $36 before I bailed. Fortunately I took a chance and visited Half.com and found it for $29. Word to the wise ? check Half.com before getting into bidding contests for CDs and LPs. You may find a better deal.

What more can be said about Freddie Hubbard?s playing during the Blue Note years that hasn?t already been said by me or others? His technique is incredible, his tone is fat and his musical ideas are fresh. Joining him on this set are Wayne Shorter, McCoy Turner, Art Davis, Elvin Hayes and Benard McKinney on euphonium. Freddie wrote three of tunes (Arietis, Birdlike and Crisis) and those are my favorites.

I am hoping Blue Note does a RVG edition. If they do ? it will only cost you $12 instead of the $31 that I panned out. It was worth ever penny though.

I’ve noticed that one of the curses of being a technically proficient trumpet player is the temptation or tendency to resorts on tricks, high notes and gimmicks to impress listeners. Ryan Kisor is technically proficient on the trumpet but he is NOT guilty of this practice. His ability is amazing and his style/approach to playing is drenched in the foundation of the master musicians of the past.

On the album “Awakening,” Ryan uses his abilities to craft fantastic and expressive solos. On this album he rejoins Sam Yahel (Hammond B3) and Peter Bernstein (guitar) from the very popular “Battle Cry” quartet. This is definitely one of his best albums to date (and can a trumpet player look any cooler on an album cover??). Not to be over looked are fantastic performances by Grant Stewart on Tenor and Willie Jones III on drums.

All the tunes were written by Ryan Kisor who says in his liner notes – “Just let the music speak for itself.” I like what it’s saying to me… great stuff.

As many of you know – I am a huge Wayne Shorter fan. While his technique and tone are rock solid – his compositions and improvisation are what makes me buy anything with his name on it. “The Soothsayer” is an example of those two reasons. The sextet includes Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, James Spaulding on alto, Ron Carter on bass, McCoy Tyner on piano and a 19 year old Tony Williams on drums.

All of the cuts on this CD are great but I have my favorites. “Lost” is a haunting tune that could have easily found its way on the “Speak No Evil” CD recorded earlier. The horn arrangement is so rich that I found myself playing the head over and over again. There are two cuts of “Angola” and it is interesting to hear the different approaches to the tune on each take. “Valse Triste” was apparently taken from a classical tune composed by Jean Sigelius. I have never heard it before but the group’s treatment of it compels me to do the research and check it out. On “Lady Day” Wayne pays homage to the great Billie Holiday. As with most of his ballads – I find it very moving and his playing is inspired. He uses Freddie and James to fill in some really nice background accompaniment. McCoy Tyner also plays a nice solo on that piece. Freddie shines on “The Big Push,” weaving an exciting solo that is full of energy and a demonstration of his prowess on the horn.

While “Speak No Evil” remains my favorite Wayne Shorter CD – “Soothsayer” is a great example of his talents as a writer and arranger. Pick this one up and judge for yourself.

Variety is the spice of life. Variety in a jazz quintet is especially delicious. I first heard this group a few years ago at Borders Book and later at a arts and education program where they paid tribute to Thelonious Monk. I thoroughly enjoyed both. The Unified Jazz Ensemble uses variety in instrumentation along with original composition to create “Small Town Stories.”

The group includes Jeff Antoniuk (soptenoralto sax, percussion), John “Big Pants” Pineda (bass), Tim Harrison (piano, flute), Marty Morrison (drums) and Mike Noonan (vibraphone, trombone, percussion). I can’t think of many groups that include this kind of diversity without bringing in guest artists. They use this diversity to change the sound of the group on different cuts and it works very well.

What really impressed me is the writing on this CD. All songs are original tunes composed by members of the band. Among my favorites include Noonan?s ?Big Pants Plays the Groove? (the flute solo is fantastic) and Harrison’s “Highlandville” and energetic ?Orsey?s Blues.? The chemistry among the band members is obvious. This is truly a group in tune with one another. Unified. Highly recommended.

To find out more about this group and purchase the CD visit their website ? http://www.unifiedjazz.com.

“I make my living with my lips!” ~ Bleek Gilliam

When I think about all the elements that were involved in me playing the trumpet I count this movie among them.  “Mo Better Blues” is the story of a young trumpet player named Bleek Gilliam (Denzel Washington).  As a child he was forced to practice as his friends played outside.  In the end it pays off as he grows into a talented and successful musician leading an amazing quintet at a club called “Beneath the Underdog.”  Jazz is his driving force – as he told his girlfriend Clarke (Cynda Williams) “Music is first.  Everything else is secondary.”  Bleek’s other girlfriend – Indigo (Joie Lee) wonders why she puts up with the cocky trumpet player even though her mother warned her that dating a musician would eventually lead to heart break.  His quintet includes the saxophone player Shadow (Wesley Snipes) who believes he should be the leader of the group instead of Bleek and is constantly looking for opportunities to one-up his leader/band mate.  The group’s manager – Giant (Spike Lee) tries to get the group the money they deserve while struggling with a bad gambling problem.

Of all of movies by Spike Lee this is one of my all time favorites.  First off – the acting is amazing.  I’ve seen a lot of movies with musician’s pretending to play instruments and they were all dreadful in that regard.  I remember watching the movie “Angel Eyes” where Jim Caviezel was pretending to playing trumpet.  I swear if the horn made any kind of sound it would have scared him half to death (for the record I am a BIG fan of Jim Caviezel…  he just wasn’t convincing to me).  To avoid that Spike made all of the actors take extensive lessons on their instruments.  He also required them to listen to the music of the jazz greats on their instrument.  The hard work and study shows as each is very convincing.  Bill Nunn played the bass player Bottom Hammond and practiced till his fingers bled.  Denzel looked confident, comfortable and focused in the playing scenes as did all of the other band members.  Jeff “Tain” Watts played the drum player Rhythm Jones (you just can’t fake the drums) and did a great job.  The group also had great chemistry when off the bandstand.  The joking and comradery in the dressing rooms was very believable and had me in stitches.  It also had me wishing I had that same kind of chemistry with a group of cats.

The music was performed by the Brandford Marsalis quintet with Terence Blanchard on trumpet.  It is truly electrifying.  My favorites include “Say Hey” and “Knocked Out the Box.”  Denzel lends his talent of the spoken word on the tune “Pop Top 40” and Cynda Williams sings an original song “Harlem Blues.  ”  Both do a very good job.  After you check out the DVD you will surely run out and buy the movie soundtrack.  I will say this — no trumpet player can listen to the song “Again Never” and have a dry eye after seeing how this thing ends.  If you haven’t seen (or heard) it — check it out.

The Terence Blanchard/Donald Harrison quintet of the 1980s never got the credit and accolades that they deserved. While some recognized their talents, they never reached the commercial success of the Wynton Marsalis led band (who was also putting out some top notch albums). The Blanchard/Harrison group released several fantastic albums that were creative, innovated and just down right amazing.

Black Pearl was the final album released by this trumpet/alto sax led quintet who together spent much of their time cutting their teeth with Art Blakey as Jazz Messengers. With both Terence and Donald sharing leadership, the band was very versatile. Listen to the dreamy title “Black Pearl” or ?Infinite Heart? and follow that with the cooking “The Center Piece” or ?Dizzy Gillespie?s Hands.? The group included Cyrus Chestnut on piano, Reginald Veal on bass and Carl Allen on drums. If you look up musical chemistry in the dictionary you will see this group referenced as #2(#1 being the Miles Davis Quintet of the early-mid 60s).

It’s may be hard to track this one down but if you do – you will not be disappointed. Special thanks for Larry Smithee for turning me on to Terence’s earlier bodies of work.

The names should tell you everything you need to know here:

Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet)
Charlie Parker (alto sax)
Bud Powell (piano)
Charles Mingus (bass)
Max Roach (drums)

The Quintet includes the musicians above playing a live performance at Massy Hall in Toronto, Canada on May 15, 1953. You would think with the names above the place would have been packed. Unfortunately it was three quarters empty due to heavyweight championship boxing match between Rocky Marciano and Jersey Joe Walcott. Lucky for us – the concert was recorded and it captured some fantastic bebop performed by some of the men who put it on the map.

To my ear Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie never sounded better. Powell, Roach and Mingus provide a rock solid rhythm section who spur on the horns and provide fantastic solos themselves. It’s great hearing the reaction of the crowd to Dizzy’s antics and even some mumbling conversations (arguments) between some of the musicians. All in all it is a fantastic/historic recording that belongs in any collection.