Todd Herbert: Captain Hubs

After listening closely to Captain Hubs, Illinois-bred, New York-based tenor saxophonist Todd Herbert's fourth album as leader of his own groups, one question immediately springs to mind: why is this man not scoring high in any polls? Herbert is quite clearly the equal of those who are. Winning polls, that is. Technically, he is a monster; creatively, about as adroit and ingenious as they come. But on the traditional year-end critics and readers' lists, Herbert's name is nowhere to be found.

There has to be a reason for that, and the most sensible one is that not enough readers or critics have heard Herbert play, while others may not have heard of him at all. In that sense, it is rather like casting one's vote for "best jazz solo of the year." Who could possibly have heard them all? And even assuming everyone has, what are the criteria on which to decide which one is "best?" In fact, aside from personal opinion, what are the criteria for determining who is the year's "best tenor saxophonist" or (fill in the instrument). From an empirical point of view, Herbert's name surely belongs on any such list.

Perhaps Captain Hubs may help correct that oversight, even though the chances of that happening are slim to none. Which is a shame, as Herbert deserves to be heard, and if hearing is believing, to open some eyes and ears as well. He certainly has no problem drawing and holding one's attention here, from the opening phrases of the rapid-fire "Captain Hubs" (written for trumpeter Freddie Hubbard) through the last notes of John Coltrane's linear "Straight Street." Between them lie four more of Herbert's engaging originals, plus one each by drummer Louis Hayes, pianist David Hazeltine and the late Wayne Shorter to complement the lone standard, "You Go to My Head."

Having mentioned Hayes and Hazeltine, it should be further noted that they comprise two-thirds of Herbert's blue-chip rhythm section (bassist John Webber is the other member). With a foundation that secure, it is no wonder that Herbert feels free to give his creative juices free rein. Hazeltine and the others chip in too, helping to ensure the album's excellence. More than anything, however, Captain Hubs is Herbert's audio signal to pollsters that there is another voice worth hearing and considering before they cast their vote for next year's "best tenor saxophonist."