Arkadia Jazz is proud to announce the fourth release in their Grammy nominated “Thank You" series, a tribute to tenor giant Joe Henderson called Thank You Joe!. Consisting of a stellar group of today's brightest stars in the jazz world (Eric Reed on piano, Javon Jackson on tenor saxophone, Terrell Stafford and Randy Brecker on trumpet, Steve Nelson on vibes, Carl Allen on drums and Rodney Whitaker on bass), Thank You Joe! is a testament to enduring legacy of one of jazz's iconoclasts. A special appearance by the Joanne Brackeen Quartet is also featured. Thank You Joe! follows on the heels of tributes to Duke Ellington, Gerry Mulligan and John Coltrane. Randy Brecker and Dave Liebman were 1998 Grammy nominees on the Mulligan and Coltrane tributes, and Thank You Joe! is a strong candidate for 2000.
“Joe Henderson is one of jazz's unique voices, “ says Arkadia founder Bob Karcy. “We wanted to salute Joe with this tribute with musicians who understood his significance in the jazz lineage, and who were directly influenced by him. Of course, Joanne and Eric had worked with Joe, and their understanding of his music is invaluable to this recording."
Those knowledgeable of jazz have always seen and heard Joe's genius. Henderson's contributions to jazz had been severely underrated until the last decade or so, but since then, Joe's sound and conception has been more widely recognized as one of the greatest in jazz, in his own subtle way. All the songs on the CD are either written by Joe or are closely associated with him, as he was always able to meld his own voice into the compositions, making them his own.
Starting off the disc is Joe's jazz/soul classic Mamacita. The tone is set by Reed's gospel-like piano riffs, and continues in its joyful, funky romp throughout.
Isfahan by Billy Strayhorn is a slow ballad that features the clear tones of Terrell Stafford on trumpet and Steve Nelson on vibes. Steve Nelson leads the melody and keeps the mood serenely tranquil.
The Joanne Brackeen Quartet plays the odd metered Gazelle, which alternates from the 7/8 to straight-ahead 4/4. An angular solo from Javon Jackson is a highlight. “The melody of the tune creates a mystique against the two time signatures," says Joanne, who worked with Joe in the early 70's.
A prime example of Joe's hard-bop sensibility is The Kicker, featuring the signature hard punctuations of the genre. A trumpet “cutting session" between Terrell Stafford and Randy Brecker is heard at the end. Outdoing each other in intensity with their duel, the spirit of late night hard-bop jams is relived!
The trio of Eric Reed, Carl Allen and Rodney Whitaker interpret the Monk song Ask Me Now, a tune that Henderson has been playing throughout in his career. The absence of the horn gives the ballad an open, spacious feel, and Reed's sensitive, dramatic piano shines new light on the song.
Recorda Me, one of Henderson's most enduring songs, is given the latin treatment complete with congas. Isotope, another Henderson classic in the bop vein, has a dry humor. Inner Urge features Steve Nelson on vibes again in a slow boiler. Granted closes out the set with its uptempo, maze-like blues theme. Carl Allen's rapid-fire drums play a pivotal role in the arrangement, offsetting the different solos.
About The Band
Each artist in the group benefits directly from Henderson's contributions to jazz, and each one is in the process of expanding the jazz language in the 21st century. These are the musicians to watch in the future! Eric's Reed's work with Wynton Marsalis is well documented, as is his solo career. Eric worked with Henderson in the late 80's. Terrell Stafford worked for a half a decade with Bobby Watson, and has several albums as a leader. Steve Nelson himself had worked with Watson in the early 80's and has recorded many albums both as a leader and as a sideman, most notably with the Dave Holland Quintet of late. Javon Jackson's career as a leader includes 8 albums, and has recorded many more as a sideman. Joanne Brackeen, now an exclusive Arkadia artist, worked with Joe in the early 70's before embarking on her own distinguished solo career. Javon and Joanne share another musical commonality-both played with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Randy Brecker's work on trumpet is the stuff of legend, and has worked with a staggering range of artists, from his own Brecker Brothers Group to Frank Zappa. Rodney Whitaker's rock solid playing can be heard with Terence Blanchard, Roy Hargrove and on his own recordings. Carl Allen's extensive recording career includes his own recordings, and with such artists as Freddie Hubbard, Vincent Herring and Donald Harrison. He works as a producer as well, and was instrumental in the conception and co-production of this recording.
A full-service label started in 1997 by Bob Karcy, Arkadia Jazz has earned four Grammy nominations (the most of any independent label in the jazz category) and wide acclaim as “The Artists Choice"."Arkadia is a new label whose recordings to date have been meticulous, high-quality productions with focus and purpose" Thomas Conrad, Stereophile. The label has released CD's by Billy Taylor, David Liebman and Joanne Brackeen (both Grammy nominees on Arkadia Jazz), T.K. Blue, Mary Pearson, Benny Golson (also nominated for a Grammy), Kenny Drew Jr. and David Lahm, among others. The twice Grammy nominated “Thank You" series includes tributes to Coltrane, Gerry Mulligan, Duke Ellington and Joe Henderson. In June of 1999, Arkadia acquired the esteemed Postcards label, and is expanding its catalog into the world and classical music areas. Postcards new releases are classical pianist Lara Downes and bassist Joris Teepe with Don Braden and Chris Potter.
Arkadia Jazz is a label of Arkadia Records, a natural extension of V.I.E.W. Video, founded by Karcy 17 years ago. V.I.E.W. is widely acknowledged to be the premiere home video producer and label in jazz, performing arts (opera, dance and classical music) and special interest (documentary, parenting, sports, health & fitness) with a catalog in excess of 200 titles (go to www.view.com) that have been honored with over 100 prestigious international awards. For consumers who would like the name of the nearest retailer, or to receive a catalog, call toll-free, 1-888-ARKADIA. Arkadia's website can be found at www.arkadiarecords.com.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
