Rufus Reid: Out Front (2010)

Ken Dryden

Columnist since 2000

Ken has collected jazz for over three decades and been a jazz journalist since 1988.

Recent articles (222 total)

Published: April 8, 2010

Long a first-call bassist, Rufus Reid has played with numerous greats since arriving on the jazz scene in the early '70s, including Dizzy Gillespie Dizzy Gillespie
1917 - 1993
trumpet , Thad Jones Thad Jones
1923 - 1986
trumpet and Mel Lewis Mel Lewis
1929 - 1990
drums , Dexter Gordon Dexter Gordon
1923 - 1990
sax, tenor , Lee Konitz Lee Konitz
b.1927
sax, alto , Art Farmer Art Farmer
1928 - 1999
flugelhorn and Jimmy Heath Jimmy Heath
b.1926
sax, tenor , to name just a few, in addition to a number of dates as a leader. His fat tone and inventive lines add something to every record date and he is a capable composer and arranger as well.

Out Front is Reid's ninth album as a leader but the bassist makes it clear in both the liner notes and the video group interview (a bonus MP4 file) that the music is a group effort rather than that of leader and sidemen. His accompanists are also top-shelf musicians. Pianist Steve Allee Steve Allee

piano has been on the jazz scene for several decades, though he has only been getting wider exposure in recent years as a leader. Duduka Da Fonseca Duduka Da Fonseca

drums is known primarily for his brilliant Brazilian percussion as a member of Trio Da Paz and the numerous record dates in which he has taken part; on this occasion, he uses a full drumkit in a straight-ahead setting.

All three men contributed originals to the date. Da Fonseca's "Doña Maria" is an infectious blend of Brazilian rhythm and post-bop, with the former utilized to introduce the theme and to back Reid's solo and the latter as the main body of the arrangement. Reid's lush ballad "Reminiscing" opens with unaccompanied piano, becoming a shimmering waltz with the addition of bass and brushes. The leader's "Caress the Thought" is a multifaceted mini-suite, taking the listener through many moods. Allee's "Ebony" is a tribute to Elvin Jones Elvin Jones
1927 - 2004
drums , a jaunty, strutting vehicle that recalls the late drummer's musical personality.

The trio also explores several well-known compositions, highlighted by their thoughtful setting of Tadd Dameron Tadd Dameron
1917 - 1965
arranger 's beautiful "If You Could See Me Now." The bonus group interview complements Reid's liner notes and allows each player to discuss the inspiration to his compositions and how they evolved.