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McCoy Tyner: Tender Moments
by Norman Weinstein
This is the first, and arguably, the finest big band album the distinguished pianist ever recorded. Six horns are utilized, with the neglected James Spaulding alternating on flute and alto sax along with tenor saxophonist Bennie Maupin, trombonist Julian Priester, trumpeter Lee Morgan, and the exotic horns, with Bob Northern on French horn and Howard Johnson on tuba. There are six Tyner originals gracing the frustratingly brief album (38 minutes). But repeated listening reveals something very subtle and seductive about ...
Continue ReadingJohn Clark: I Will
by Glenn Astarita
French hornist John Clark along with his venerable band-mates go straight to the heart with their expressive and altogether grand rendition of Coltrane’s hypnotically melodic, “India”. Bright, rousing horn charts, and fluent phrasing by Clark get things off to a rather rapid and somewhat boisterous start! Here, the pre-eminent french hornist and his fine cast including, drummer Bruce Ditmas, saxophonists Alex Foster, Chris Hunter and others assist Clark in compiling this outstanding production consisting of jazz standards and Clark originals. ...
Continue ReadingHoward Johnson & Gravity: Right Now!
by Jim Santella
Howard Johnson's six-tuba jazz ensemble Gravity provides a pleasant harmony for each of the arrangements he's included in this new release, and yet they supply varied excitement and expression as well. Backed by a rhythm section of pianist Ray Chew, bassist James Cammack and drummer Kenwood Dennard, the tuba choir draws together with simple charm and alternates their ensemble work with outside stretches from the spirited soloists. Lending distinct tuba voices to the session are Johnson, Dave Bargeron, Joe Daley, ...
Continue ReadingJohn Clark: I Will
by Joel Roberts
The French horn is not the first instrument that comes to mind when one thinks of jazz. In modern jazz history, there have been only a handful of musicians -- David Amram, Julius Watkins, Gunther Schuller -- who have achieved any acclaim on the instrument. John Clark is another. A veteran of the progressive big bands of Gil Evans, Carla Bley, and McCoy Tyner, and a current member of the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Clark is probably the most in-demand ...
Continue ReadingHoward Johnson's Gravity: Gravity!!!
by Jim Santella
Howard Johnson started his first tuba ensemble in New York City in 1968, named it Gravity a few years later, and recently released this, Gravity's first recording. Why the long delay? Because the tuba has its place in music: the rhythm, the pulse, the bottom harmony. But in the hands of 55-year-old Johnson and his five tuba-mates, plus rhythm section, the instrument becomes a melody-maker; with the easily-recognized themes of “Round Midnight," “Stolen Moments," and “Yesterdays," as well as other ...
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