Thurman Green: DANCE OF THE NIGHT CREATURES

Thurman Green’s remarkable journey through 20th century jazz has left an indelible imprint on both jazz trombonists and aficianados of low brass alike. A key innovator of avante garde/free jazz for trombone, Thurman Green is most often associated with the urban gems on the West Coast jazz scene. In 1997, Thurman Green left us with a legacy of compositions for jazz trombone, all contributing something new, each a new pearl in the strands of gifted low brass culture. Hamiet Bluiett, stared and listened to those pearls, added the excellence of his baritone sax and contrabass clarinet, and melded them together. The result is a vital, exuberant, free, swinging posthumous release entitled DANCE OF THE NIGHT CREATURES. Released on Mapleshade in 1999, Bluiett’s inspired trombone project for his Exploration Series began nearly 30 years ago when he and Thurman Green played in a Navy band. The recording features 9 tracks played by Thurman Green with the John Hicks Trio on five viable Green originals “Minor Blue,” "Dance of the Night Creatures," “Lately,” “Searching for Peace,” and “Cross Currents.” The set showcases the talents of Hamiet Bluiett on baritone sax/contrabass clarinet, Walter Booker on bass and Steve Williams on drums. Bassist Steve Novosel adds a new dimension to the late Horace Tapscott tone poem, “Daughter of Cochise,” and on the Green original “Cross Currents.” Even though this release is Green’s last and finest date, we reserve judgment because there’s a lot more to hear from his treasure of unreleased compositions. The appeal of Green can’t be manufactured, he was the real thing.