Jazz Articles

Bobby Bryant: Flowers Stolen From The Yards Of Old Folks

by Jim Santella
November 1, 2000

With a passionate alto saxophone cry, Bobby Bryant starts the session with “Summertime.” A lively rhythm section backs him up as the leader improvises with an emotional appeal. Jennifer Bowens joins him with remarkably to-the-point spoken poetry. “My language is gentle, yet tough,” she says, as the words punctuate the air. Her message is social, political, and philosophical. Then Bridgette Bryant enters with a lovely, straightforward cover of the same Gershwin song with lyrics. Eventually saxophone and poet return to ...