Bill Warfield: For Lew

The "Lew" referred to on Renaissance man Bill Warfield's latest big-band album, For Lew, is the late trumpeter Lew Soloff, whom Warfield remembers in the liner notes as "my mentor, colleague, friend and inspiration." The inspiration arrived when the teen-age Warfield, who had switched from trumpet to piano after losing his front teeth in an auto accident, heard Soloff's memorable solo on "Spinning Wheel" by the group Blood, Sweat & Tears. "I decided at that point," Warfield writes, "that I wanted to play trumpet again."

And so he has for more than four decades while also building a notable career as a composer, arranger, bandleader and educator. For Lew embodies a dozen selections, five written by Warfield and all but two previously issued on albums spanning the years 1990-2014. Soloff, who played and recorded with his pal Warfield's band on a number of occasions, is in the section on four—from the 1994 album The City Never Sleeps —and is showcased on one, Jeff Fuller's saucy "Salsa en mi Alma," the only number on the anthology that was not arranged by Warfield.

Whatever the lineup, Warfield has always presided over first-class ensembles, an assessment that is evident throughout this splendid album. Warfield enthusiasts may have acquired or at least heard much of the material here, which, besides The City Never Sleeps, (Sea Breeze Jazz, 1992) has been culled from New York City Jazz (1990), A Faceless Place (2005) and Trumpet Story (2014). The "factory-new" tracks are John Coltrane's high-spirited "Some Other Blues" and Yip Harburg / Burton Lane's standard "Old Devil Moon," both from the unreleased album of that name. Warfield wrote the bustling "Street Corner Market," irrepressible "Scootzie," rhythmically dazzling "Tentigo," funky "Circus Music" (featuring tenor Chris Potter) and frisky finale, "When Janie Takes the Stand." Rounding out the well-designed program are Lee Morgan's "Totem Pole," Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way," Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Porkpie Hat" and Wayne Shorter's "The Three Marias" (the only track without solos).

Soloff's nimble statement on "Salsa en mi Alma" is a highlight but by no means the only one. Warfield frames impressive solos on "Totem Pole," "Some Other Blues" and (muted) "Porkpie Hat." Others who raise their eloquent voices include tenors Walt Weiskopf, Bob Hanlon and Rich Perry; altos Andy Fusco and Dan Block, trumpeters John Eckert and Randy Brecker, baritone Tom Olin, trombonist Matt Haviland, guitarist Vic Juris, pianist Joel Weiskopf, bassist Mike Richmond and drummers Bob Weller and Tim Horner.

Although, as noted, most of these numbers have been accessible in previous incarnations, it's good to have them on the same page, especially as an homage to Lew Soloff who no doubt would have approved and been honored by his friend's thoughtfulness. Tribute aside, it's a well-drawn sketch of the Warfield band's proficiency and panache.