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Jax Jazz Collective: Lotus Blossom: The Music of Billy Strayhorn
ByNow the Jax Jazz Collective, under the leadership of pianist Joshua Bowlus, offers up Strayhorn in a small group outing with Lotus Blossom: The Music Of Billy Strayhorn.
The grouptwo saxophones, one trumpet and the rhythm sectionopens with an inspired take on "Take the 'A' Train." Bowlus' left hand lays down a solid, gathering-momentum, rolling- down-the tracks rhythm. A celebration of the tune ensuesexquisite ensemble work and brief, torrid solos inside the beautiful structure of the song before Bowlus' left hand brings the train back into the station.
"Ishfahan," from the Duke's wonderful but somewhat overlooked Far East Suite, features a smooth delivery some lovely three horn harmony, and "Raincheck" rolls with a percolating, saucy groove, as the Collective modernizes the classic Ellington/Strayhorn sound.
The group is every bit as adept at ballads as it is at burners. "A Flower is a Lovesome Thing" finds a moody and ruminative mood, a gray misty day with Bowlus supplying the raindrops to the delicate flower pedals.
Lotus Blossom: The Music of Billy Strayhorn, by the top notch Jax Jazz Collective, shines a bright light on new facets on the Billy Strayhorn songbook.
Track Listing
Take the 'A' Train' Isfahan; Raincheck; A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing; Johnny Come Lately; Upper Manhattan Medical Group; The Intimacy Of The Blues; Lotus Blossom.
Personnel
Jax Jazz Collective
band / ensemble / orchestraMike Emmert: alto saxophone; Juan Rollan: tenor saxophone; Ray Callender: trumpet (1, 5, 6, 8); Alphonso Horne: trumpet (2, 3, 4, 7); Josua Bowlus: piano, Fender rhodes; John 'Lil John" Lumpkin: drums; Stan Piper: bass.
Album information
Title: Lotus Blossom: The Music of Billy Strayhorn | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: J-Bo Records
Comments
About Jax Jazz Collective
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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