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Virginia Mayhew: Phantoms
ByVirginia Mayhew's new recording, Phantoms, picks up where she left off with No Walls. She continues to loosen her approach to performance, providing focused and flowing music that never falls into excessive post bop freedom. Rather, her invention is lightly but securely tethered to her vision. Joining her on this recording are longtime associates Ingrid Jensen on trumpet and flugelhorn, Allison Miller on drums and Harvie Swartz on bass. Together, this band produces some of the most memorable contemporary post bop in recent memory.
The disc opens with a breezy "Phantoms," composed by Kenny Barron, Mayhew's associate and mentor. The performance is totally integrated, while affording all band members ultimate freedom. This same airy approach is employed on the disc's centerpiece, "I'm a Fool to Want You." Mayhew shows off her soprano-ballad chops with Miller tastefully providing a minimum of percussion and Swartz a beautifully constructed arco accompaniment.
Here, however, is where Ingrid Jensen shines the brightest. She and Mayhew are of one mind on this the longest piece on the recording, clocking in at just over ten minutes. "Babble On" showcases Mayhew on tenor and a muted Jensen performing in an older, more gospel-inflected style. The song begins with a lengthy duet introduction. By the time the whole band has joined in, the song transitions into some very smart bebop, Mayhew sounding a bit like Wardell Gray married to Dexter Gordon.
The remaining standard on the recording is by Monk. Mayhew provides a delightfully different "Rhythm-A-Ning," presented in her singular voice. The time is sideways, even for a Monk tune, but very effectively so. Mayhew approaches this Monk tune with a creativity bordering on Steve Lacy, as opposed to than Wynton Marsalis. It is this spirit that makes this recording a necessity.
For more information, please see Virginia Mayhew and Renma Recordings .
Track Listing
The Theme/Phantoms, I Love You, Monterey Blues, I'm Fool to Want You, Babble On, Live Your Life, Facil, Fall, Dubai, Rhythm-A-Ning, The Theme
Personnel
Virginia Mayhew
saxophone, tenorIngrid Jensen, trumpet and flugelhorn; Harvie S., bass; Allison Miller, drums and percussion; Virginai Mayhew, tenor and soprano sax
Album information
Title: Phantoms | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Remma
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About Virginia Mayhew
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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