Jazz Articles about Gerald Albright

Randal Clark: Imaginary World

by Jim Worsley
May 28, 2021

Randal Clark's Imaginary World stretches beyond the conscious boundaries and illuminates the dark corners. It's clear from the onset that it is steeped in jazz tradition with a giant foothold on both rhythmic and melodic foundations. Clark establishes himself early and never lets go. Too often a buoyant blast off can ultimately fade away into the abyss of both the imaginary and conscious recesses of the mind or a once steaming groove can melt into the wallpaper. Even the most ...

Gerald Albright and Norman Brown: 24/7

by Jeff Winbush
July 12, 2012

No instruments dominate smooth jazz more than the guitar and saxophone, which is why Gerald Albright and Norman Brown, two of the genre's most dominant players, make such an inspired pairing. Both musicians are on the top of their game and while 24/7 breaks no new ground, it does provide perfect listening for warm summer nights when a cool groove is required.Multi-instrumentalist Albright's array of saxophones and robust tone tends to slightly overshadow Brown's deft guitar playing at ...

Gerald Albright: Pushing the Envelope

by Woodrow Wilkins
June 22, 2010

Whether the economy, the climate or war, the world faces a multitude of crises. During times like these, music can be a valuable healing force. Saxophonist and producer Gerald Albright takes that approach with Pushing the Envelope. Albright counts saxophonist Maceo Parker and Julian “Cannonball" Adderley among his influences. His career has included work as both a band leader and a sideman. Among his associations are Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Teena Marie and Maurice White. For Pushing the ...

Gerald Albright: Sax for Stax

by Woodrow Wilkins
July 5, 2008

It's all about Memphis with Gerald Albright's Sax for Stax. The veteran saxophonist revisits the sounds of the 1960s and '70s that helped define a label and, to a certain degree, a generation of soul musicians. A native of Los Angeles, Albright has effortless straddled the line between jazz and R&B, making music that is easily accepted by fans of one genre or the other. His inspirations include such tenor sax legends as John Coltrane and Eddie Harris, ...

Gerald Albright: New Beginnings

by Woodrow Wilkins
April 16, 2006

The best songs on New Beginnings come before the midway point. Even so, the rest isn't bad. With a variable lineup of sidemen, including Walter and Wallace Scott of the Whispers, Jeff Lorber and Paul Jackson Jr., Gerald Albright delivers a nice mix of smooth jazz and instrumental soul grooves on his Peak Records debut. Albright began professionally by touring with keyboardist Patrice Rushen, who appears on the title song, and becoming a first-call fixture by other ...

Gerald Albright: Groovology

by Mike Perciaccante
August 1, 2002

Saxophonist extraordinaire Gerald Albright is back with his smooth grooves, hence the name of this, his ninth album. Chock full of passionate, fresh tracks and hooks that grab the listener and don't let go, Groovology delivers on every level.

Albright has brought in a top-flight roster of sidemen who bring on the funk, and the R&B and, of course, some of the coolest jazz. There are some fine offerings on this CD. “Old School Jam" and the title ...

Gerald Albright: The Very Best of Gerald Albright

by Dave Hughes
September 1, 2001

Versatile sax man Gerald Albright has been in high demand of late. His name shows up with remarkable frequency in CD booklets in a wide variety of contexts, from contemporary to Latin to straight-ahead, and everywhere in between. Albright brings a high degree of proficiency and sincerity to everything he plays. In addition to being versatile in terms of musical styles, he’s not just a saxophonist; he performs his own bass (electric bass as well as keyboard) on several of ...