CD/LP/Track Review

Michael Benedict & Bopitude featuring Gary Smulyan: Five and One (2012)

By
C. MICHAEL BAILEY,
C. Michael Bailey

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: May 23, 2012
Michael Benedict & Bopitude featuring Gary Smulyan: Five and One Track review of "Work Song"

Diamond hard bop is alive and well and living in Michael Benedict & Bopitude's studio. The quintet's debut, Michael Benedict & Bopitude (Planet Arts, 2011), established the group as a premiere hard bop unit employing the classic trumpet-tenor quintet format used by Miles DavisMiles Davis Miles Davis
1926 - 1991
trumpet
, Art BlakeyArt Blakey Art Blakey
1919 - 1990
drums
and various others. For this edition of Bopitude, drummer Benedict adds baritone saxophonist Gary SmulyanGary Smulyan Gary Smulyan
b.1956
sax, baritone
, whose Smul's Paradise (Capri Records, 2012) made its own hard bop waves. The pairing is an opportune one.

From old bop like Kenny DorhamKenny Dorham Kenny Dorham
1924 - 1972
trumpet
's "An Oscar for Oscar" to new bop like Bobby WatsonBobby Watson Bobby Watson
b.1953
sax, alto
's "Quiet as It's Kept," Five and One is like one solid punch. The band's performance of Nat AdderleyNat Adderley Nat Adderley
b.1931
trumpet
's soul-jazz classic "Work Song" is the real thing, performed in the vernacular. A call-and-response is set up between Smulyan's baritone and the united front of trumpeter Chris PasinChris Pasin Chris Pasin

trumpet
and tenor saxophonist Brian PatneaudeBrian Patneaude Brian Patneaude
b.1974
sax, tenor
. After the opening chord, Benetict's bass drum and snare shot kick the piece off at a brisk and swinging pace. Pianist Bruce BarthBruce Barth Bruce Barth
b.1958
piano
steadies the opening and holds down the edges for the solos. His own solo is full-throated and muscular. Bopitude makes a case for "Work Song" as the quintessential hard bop piece, giving Bobby TimmonsBobby Timmons Bobby Timmons
1935 - 1974
piano
' "Moanin'" a run for it money.

Track Listing: Track #1; Track #2; Track #3.

Personnel: Gary Smulyan: baritone saxophone; Chris Pasin trumpet and flugelhord; Brian Patneaude: tenor saxophone; Bruce Barth: piano; Mike Lawrence: bass; Michael Benedict: drums.

Record Label: Planet Arts

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