Kenny
Garrett, Pushing The World Away (Mack Avenue)
Kenny Garrett’s well-deserved reputation as one of the world’s
fiercest alto saxophonists isn’t going to lock him in a pigeonhole. No sir. The
cat capable of playing a live set that stretches out two or three tunes into 45
minutes+ is not the Garrett you’ll find here. Partly he’s in a tribute mode,
with beautifully composed and performed tunes that tip his hat to Chick Corea
(the Spanish- and Moroccan-tinged “Hey, Chick”), Chucho Valdés (“Chucho’s Mambo,” featuring pianist Benito Gonzalez
and percussionist Rudy Bird) and Sonny Rollins (“J’ouvert,” a St. Thomas-like
calypso.) There’s a lot of the Garrett intensity here and there, but my absolute
favorite track is his laid-back and soulful tribute to co-producer and longtime
friend Donald Brown. “Brother Brown” is a beautiful ballad that features
Garrett on piano (now there’s a twist) backed by a string trio.
Jimmy
Masters, When Trees Speak (Bass Line)
Yes indeed, Jimmy Masters says, trees do speak – after they’re
transformed into finely crafted musical instruments. They include the
150-year-old acoustic bass he’s been playing for nearly 30 years. This CD marks
Virginia-based Masters’ recording debut as leader. He team of collaborators on
this varied outing include vibes player Joe Locke, saxophonist J.C. Kuhl,
guitarist Trey Pollard and Masters’ wife, Mary Lou Osterhous, who brings voice
and acoustic guitar to her original “The Storm.” Favorite tracks: Masters’
originals “Nothing for Certain” and “Shaggy’s Delight.” The latter features
Justin Kauflin on organ.
Frank
Potenza, For Joe (Capri)
If you dig the melodic side of jazz guitar, you’ll love this Joe
Pass tribute from protégé Frank Potenza. He’s joined by Joe Pass’s longtime
band-mates – guitarist John Pisano, bassist Jim Hughart and drummer Colin
Bailey. Highlights include “Catch Me,” a blistering tune that was the title
track on Pass’s first album as a leader; Pisano’s tribute tune “Blues for Joe”;
and “For Django,” which Pass wrote in tribute to late gypsy guitarist Django
Reinhardt. Other treats: their takes on the Pass original “A Foxy Chick and a
Cool Cat,” Earl Hines’ “Rosetta” and the standard “Beautiful Love,” which was a
Pass favorite to play. It’s very fine indeed.
Tierney
Sutton, After Blue (BFM)
This is another gem in a very long string of gems from talented
West Coast singer Tierney Sutton. (Never mind that she’s a Midwesterner by
birth and was educated in the Northeast. She has been based in Southern
California for all of her recording career.) After Blue is Sutton’s exquisite tribute to the songs and singing
of Joni Mitchell, with a long list of collaborators that includes the Turtle
Island String Quartet, pianist/organist Larry Goldings, drummer Peter Erskine,
singer Al Jarreau and flute player Hubert Laws on various tracks. Most tracks
are spare, with only one, two or three accompanists save for the two tracks on
which she’s wonderfully supported by the Turtles (“Blue” and “Little Green”).
The minimalist backing further illuminates Sutton’s way with a song.
This is also the first recording in 20 years on which Sutton has
eschewed the personnel of her Tierney Sutton Band, save for an appearance on
one track by TSB bassist Kevin Axt. Favorites: her spartan duet with drummer
Ralph Humphrey (an occasional TSB sub) on “Big Yellow Taxi,” her piano-voice duet
with Goldings on “Woodstock,” her duet with Turtle Island String Quartet member
Mark Summers on “Both Sides Now,” guitarist Serge Merlaud’s duet with Sutton on
“Answer Me, My Love” and a clever Sutton-arranged medley blending the lyrics of
“April in Paris” and Mitchell’s “Free Man in Paris.” Trust me, it’s all good.
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