Frank Morgan: City Nights
Recorded live at the Jazz Standard in November, 2003, the CD features compositions by Miles ("All Blues"), Monk ("I Mean You" and "Round Midnight"), and Coltrane ("Equinox" and "Impressions"), plus "Cherokee," "Georgia on My Mind" and "Summertime." Morgan has a rich, clear tone, and he swings with deep expression. Certainly it helps to have good support, and you can't ask for a better rhythm section than bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Billy Hart. Plus pianist George Cables has been playing with Morgan almost 25 years, and they have that magical telepathy so wonderful to witness in jazz. The quartet shines on all the songs, but particularly enjoyable are a buoyant "All Blues" and a warm, shimmering "Equinox."
Despite his stature in the jazz world, Morgan still considers himself a student of the music; as he says in the liner notes, "I'm on a Monk journey." This fresh approach combined with years of experience gives City Nights a wonderful vitality. It's 64 minutes of pure delight, jazz at its classic best played by a living master.
Track Listing
Georgia On My Mind; Cherokee; Summertime; All Blues; I Mean You; Round Midnight; Equinox; Impressions
Personnel
Frank Morgan (alto saxophone); Curtis Lundy (bass); Billy Hart (drums); George Cables (piano)
Album information
Title: City Nights | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Unknown label