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Frank Wess: Magic 201

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Frank Wess: Magic 201
Maestro riconosciuto dell'arrangiamento per big band jazz, Frank Wess si distingueva altresì per le linee morbide e sinuose del suo sax tenore. In questa veste lo ritroviamo protagonista di questo CD, registrato due anni prima della sua scomparsa. Lo affianca un notevole quintetto che con classe e discrezione ripercorre un ammaliante filo della memoria, intriso di gioioso swing. L'eloquio di Wess quando rilegge le ballad con inimitabile tono colloquiale ritrova i palpiti della grande stagione del jazz.

Le sue rilevanti capacità affabulatorie spiccano anche al flauto con le linee melodiche lunghe e trasognate che segnano superbamente "The Summer Knows," celebre standard di Michel Legrand. Il respiro del delicato balladeur in "Embraceable You" riassume lo spirito di un seducente CD, che ricrea con mirabile grazia il fascino immortale dello swing. C'è pure spazio per la tradizione del blues, grazie all'energia che si sprigiona in "Blues for Ruby," superba composizione originale di Wess.

Asciutto e quasi volutamente sotto traccia il lavoro di un maestro riconosciuto del piano jazz quale è Kenny Barron. Lo si percepisce dal suo religioso lavoro di accompagnamento, che fa da corona alla magistrale prova solistica del leader, qui oscillante tra Lester Young e Coleman Hawkins.

Track Listing

It Could Happen to You; A Cottage for Sale; After Paris; The Summer Knows; Embraceable You; Blues for Ruby; If You Can't Call, Don't Come; If It's the Last Thing I Do.

Personnel

Frank Wess
saxophone, tenor

Frank Wess: tenor saxophone, flute; Kenny Barron: piano; Russell Malone: guitar; Rufus Reid: bass; Winard Harper: drums.

Album information

Title: Magic 201 | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: IPO Recordings

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