Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Henry Grimes: Live at the Kerava Jazz Festival

Henry Grimes: Live at the Kerava Jazz Festival

By A. Henkin
May 8, 2005
View read count

Henry Grimes: Live at the Kerava Jazz Festival

Amazingly, this CD is the first disc released under Henry Grimes' name since 1965, when his only title as a leader appeared (The Call, ESP). Though there are many private recordings of Grimes playing since his storybook return, this live performance was serendipitous for being close enough to Sweden for the head of Ayler Records to attend and be impressed enough to release it. Lucky too for Grimes, since he has only been in the studio twice since his return. One would think the studio would suit Grimes best, since his reputation was made there with prodigious output in the '60s. Until more opportunities are available this trio date with saxophonist David Murray and drummer Hamid Drake will have to serve as a fine demo tape.

The album is one of those rare intergenerational events that allow listeners to trace a direct lineage through jazz. Grimes' work from the '60s no doubt influenced Murray and Drake, the Coltrane and Cyrille of their generation. To hear the trio come together is fascinating, if only to hear how Grimes is inspired by those he himself inspired.

Since his return, Grimes' playing has returned to form, though his emphasis on the avant-garde side robs the jazz world of one of its finest post bop players. The times during this performance when that side is allowed to surface are the album's strongest points, particularly the second tune, "Eighty Degrees by Drake, featuring Murray's incomparable bass clarinet. The compositions are two by Grimes and one each by Drake and Murray (his hit "Flowers for Albert ). While the album is a good step for Grimes, it was a performance committed to disc after the fact. A carefully planned studio date is the next logical step.

Track Listing

Spin; Eighty Degrees; Flowers For Albert; Blues For Savanah

Personnel

Henry Grimes

bass, acoustic

Henry Grimes (bass); David Murray (tenor sax and bass clarinet); Hamid Drake (drums)

Album information

Title: Live at the Kerava Jazz Festival | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Ayler Records

About Henry Grimes

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Journey To Donnafugata
< Previous

Eternity
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.