Barry Greene: Giants

The Giants singled out by guitarist Barry Greene on his recording of that name include a number of musicians who served as role models and helped shape his singular musical voice. Pat Martino is one, as are Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Russell Malone and Pat Metheny, each one a stepping-stone on Greene's upward path toward self-identity and mastery of his instrument of choice. Greene paid it forward by teaching for more than thirty years at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

Greene leads a quintet on half of the album's ten numbers, an organ trio on four, and has the ballad "My One and Only Love" to himself. Pat Bianchi is the organist, while drummer Ulysses Owens, Jr. is the lone member of both groups. Besides Greene and Owens, the quintet consists of vibraphonist Steve Nelson, pianist David Kikoski and bassist Marco Panascia. In sum, an astute and talented supporting cast.

The choice of music is similarly first-rate. Montgomery composed two numbers, Martino, Green, Malone, Metheny and the leader one apiece. The trio opens with Lonnie Smith's cool and leisurely "Backtrack." The quintet takes charge on Jones' galloping "Unit 7," and the trio returns for Grant Green's buoyant "Green Street." Greene bares his formidable chops (as do Nelson and Kikoski) on Montgomery's urgent and fast-moving "SOS," as they do later on Montgomery's second upbeat theme, "Jingles."

Malone wrote the endearing and rhythmic "Mugshot," Greene the warmhearted "In Her Room," Martino the virile finale, "El Hombre." Greene is on the mark on every number, pushing everyone to stay alert and focused. His leadership proves contagious, as his comrades rise to the occasion—perhaps not as high as the Giants, but high enough to make the album a charming and impressive listening experience.