Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Gregory Porter/Donald Smith/Mansur Scott: Great Voices Of Harlem

14

Gregory Porter/Donald Smith/Mansur Scott: Great Voices Of Harlem

By

Sign in to view read count
Gregory Porter/Donald Smith/Mansur Scott: Great Voices Of Harlem
Harlem has long been known as an incubator for talent, birthing and/or nurturing some of the all-time greats in music, literature, and art. Nearly a century separates the dawning of the famed Harlem Renaissance and the creation of this album, but Great Voices Of Harlem serves as undeniable proof that this large neighborhood at the north end of Manhattan still holds artistic treasures within its borders.

Great Voices Of Harlem, in some respects, isn't just a nod to three great talents that were honed and developed in Harlem; it's a recorded microcosm of the vocal jazz scene at St. Nick's Pub. That's where Austrian pig farmer/jazz festival organizer/band leader Paul Zauner met the three men that make magic on this date. Vocalist/pianist Donald Smith, the then-unknown, now-renowned Gregory Porter, and the man known as "the jazz mayor of Harlem"—vocalist Mansur Scott—all left an indelible mark on Zauner. In the summer of 2012, he managed to get all three of them to Austria to record with his Blue Brass band, and this album is the end result.

Porter's deep, resounding soul vocals, Scott's storyteller savoir-faire, and Smith's put-it-all-out-there, shoot for the stars singing are all on display at various times on a program that largely focuses on new arrangements of old favorites. Porter tips his cap to Nat King Cole with "Mona Lisa," shines on a lively "Moanin,'" and brings shape and depth to an indigo-dyed "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"; Smith works different angles, soaring and screeching along at the end of "Expansions" and giving a highly nuanced performance of "My One And Only Love"; and Scott is completely captivating whether spinning a story, as on "Doing Hard Time," or gussying up an old warhorse like "Days Of Wine And Roses." He goes over the top on occasion, but it's that enthusiasm that defines his work and elevates the majority of his performances.

While the world has quickly come to know and adore Porter, this album gives some well-earned attention to Smith and Scott; all three men are the vocal embodiment of the spirit, soul and sophistication that is Harlem.

Track Listing

Moanin'; Intro Peace; Peace; Expansions; Somewhere Over The Rainbow; Doing Hard Time; Stella By Starlight; Watermelon Man; My One And Only Love; Days Of Wine And Roses; Mona Lisa; Song For My Father.

Personnel

Gregory Porter: vocals (1, 3, 5, 11); Mansur Scott: vocals (2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11); Donald Smith: vocals (3, 4, 8, 9), piano, Fender Rhodes; Paul Zauner: trombone; Barney Girlinger: trumpet, flugelhorn; Klaus Dickbauer: alto saxophone, bass clarinet; Klemens Pliem: tenor saxophone, alto flute; Martin Reiter: piano, Fender Rhodes; Wolfram Derschmidt: bass; Howard Curtis: drums.

Album information

Title: Great Voices Of Harlem | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Pao Records

Comments

Tags

Concerts

Mar 25 Mon
Mar 26 Tue
Mar 28 Thu
Apr 13 Sat

For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
View events near New York City
Jazz Near New York City
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.