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Ted Nash: Still Evolved
Joining him on Still Evolved, as well for part of his recent week-long Village Vanguard engagement, is a rag-tag mix of associates. The LCJO contributes the formidable trumpets of Marcus Printup and Wynton Marsalis, while the JCC clocks in with the irreverent rhythms of Frank Kimbrough on piano, Ben Allison on bass, and Matt Wilson on drums. An eclectic crew to say the least, though talented enough to bridge the widest of gaps.
And for the most part they do. On Still Evolved, Printup and Marsalis alternate tracks, infusing Nash's music with their respective brands of chicanery. The former is especially convincing on the meditative "Rubber Soul," while the latter finds his wings on the opening number, "Shooting Star."
While waxing the title track at the Vanguard, Nash and Printup traded mellow, wayfaring licks - only to be outdone by Kimbrough, who wove a crooked, winding gem of a solo that made even the stilted in the audience grin. As for Allison and Wilson, distinction persisted throughout, coloring the action with dependable and consistently creative support.
One of the few points of contention with the recording is that the music occasionally feels over-arranged. Unison lines dominate much of the ensemble playing, giving a sense of formality that it could realistically do without. Nevertheless, thanks to a steady flow of potent solos, each number rounds itself out quite nicely. A rewarding record from one of the music's most adaptable reedmen.
June 2003.
Track Listing
The Shooting Star 2. Jump Start 3. Still Evolved 4. The Competitor 5. Bells Of Brescia 6. Point Of Arrival 7. Ida's Spoons 8. Rubber Soul.
Personnel
Ted Nash
saxophoneWynton Marsalis
trumpetMarcus Printup
trumpetFrank Kimbrough
pianoBen Allison
bass, acousticMatt Wilson
drumsAlbum information
Title: Still Evolved | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Palmetto Records
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