Louis Hayes: The Time Keeper (2009)

John Patten

since 2009

Educator, musician and journalist trying to keep the Gospel of Jazz burning.

Recent articles (15 total)

Published: August 6, 2009

If drummer Louis Hayes intended to recreate the classic sounds of, well, Louis Hayes recordings on The Time Keeper, he succeeded. In a set of tunes that includes two penned by Hayes, two by saxophonist Abraham Burton Abraham Burton

sax, alto , and two by pianist Horace Silver Horace Silver
b.1928
piano for good measure, Hayes reminds why he's been a leader—and a leading sideman—for so many years.

As a time keeper, Hayes is impeccable. Never as boisterous as Art Blakey Art Blakey
1919 - 1990
drums or as subtle as Philly Joe Jones Philly Joe Jones
1923 - 1985
drums , he's a recognizable voice on drums and, at 71, he's energetic; playing with passion, creativity, and still swinging.

As a composer, Hayes' tunes show his grounding in the post-bop jazz of the late '50s and '60s. While not at break-neck speeds, they're up-tempo tunes, built around some memorable heads.

Hayes also surrounds himself with very capable young musicians on this release. Burton carries a lot of music, serving most often as leading soloist after playing the heads on seven of the nine tracks.

That leaves pianist Helio Alves Helio Alves

piano , bassist Santi DeBriano and vibraphonist Steve Nelson Steve Nelson

vibraphone to fill out the rest, which they do marvelously. As a backing unit, they are solid and flexible, with Alves and Nelson both capable of picking up the melody if needed.

The solos are as solid as Hayes' timekeeping, too. Alves is a top-notch player, and Burton plays well on tunes running the gamut from Silver's "The Preacher" to "Double Rainbow" by Antonio Carlos Jobim Antonio Carlos Jobim
1927 - 1994
piano .

Burton also shows his compositional depth with "It's To You" and "Abellino." Both give Alves' the lead-off solo, and he works through a couple of choruses on "It's To You" with interesting outside playing, chordal blocks and a little blues riffing. This sets up Burton to continue exploring outside the tunes harmony, before DeBriano takes a turn.

Burton's "Abellino" is a near-ballad, played richly with Hayes' steady hi-hat tapping, to a slow bridge embellished by Alves playing arpeggios. Before Alves' solo, Burton comps lightly in the background, giving a little extra depth to the tune.

Hayes is obviously not intent on resting on his laurels, choosing instead to work with a strong group of young musicians.

Track Listing: Check In; Alani's World; Peace; The Preacher; It's To You; Save Yourself; Abellino; Double Rainbow; Angel Eyes.

Personnel: Louis Hayes: drums; Abraham Burton: saxophone; Santi DeBriano: bass; Helio Alves: piano; Steve Nelson: vibraphone.

Record Label: Allegro Music
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream