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Mike Wofford / Holly Hofmann Quintet: Turn Signal
ByFor her part, Hofmann fronted a marvelous quartet on Minor Miracle (Capri Records, 2004), with Wofford holding down the piano chair, as well as teaming engaging in a true flute fest on First Date (Capri Records, 2003), with Ali Ryerson and multiple reedman Frank Wess, as part of a trio dubbed Flutology.
With Turn Signal, the Wofford/Hofmann collaboration veers into tribute territory, opening with the groove-centric "The Dipper, (for Horace Silver)." Employing a quintet with the inspired choice of trumpeter Terell Stafford in the frontline with Hofmann, the tune has a modern feel and uniquely silky harmonic sound with the melding of trumpet and flute. Hofmann blows a solo with nuanced coolness and some surprising phrases, while Stafford possesses a bright and succinct sound in front of a deliberate rhythm.
With beautifully unfolding harmonies, "Esperanca" is Wofford's quintet take on the orchestral original by composer/arranger Vince Mendoza. Wofford's pensive solo emerges from fluid smoothness of the horns, backed adeptly by Rob Thorsen's muscular bass lines and drummer Richard Sellers' subtle percussive intricacies.
The group takes saxophonist Bobby Watson's "Karita" aloft, a soaring in the clouds affair with more delectable harmonies from Hofmann and Stafford, whose solo reaches for heaven in front of the locked-in-tight, cranking-it-up rhythm section, leading to Hofmann's gorgeous songbird turn.
Polished and adventurous, this is a gem of a CD. Engaging and, with the teaming of trumpet and flute, not the standard quintet jazz experience, Jimmy Forrest's "Soul Street" is a lesson in serious soulful swing. The group closes out with Hofmann's juiced-up "M-Line," the flautist at her most inspired as Stafford burns hot and brassy.
Track Listing
The Dipper (For Horace Silver); Esperança; Karita; Soul Street; Pure Imagination; The Girl from Greenland; M-Line.
Personnel
Mike Wofford
pianoMike Wofford: piano; Holly Hofmann: flute; Terrell Stafford: trumpet; Rob Thorsen: bass; Richard Sellers: drums.
Album information
Title: Turn Signal | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Capri Records
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Mike Wofford / Holly Hofmann Quintet
CD/LP/Track Review
Mike Wofford
Dan McClenaghan
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
Capri Records
United States
Holly Hofmann
Sarah Vaughan
Ella Fitzgerald
Zoot Sims
Benny Carter
Ali Ryerson
Frank Wess
Horace Silver
Terell Stafford
Vince Mendoza
Rob Thorsen
Richard Sellers
Bobby Watson
Jimmy Forrest
Turn Signal