Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Kerry Strayer Septet: Mentor

Kerry Strayer Septet: Mentor

By Jim Santella
April 6, 2004
View read count

Featuring Gary Foster, this straight-ahead session swings with the timeless tradition of a Kansas City 7, but with the orchestrated sound of a big band or large orchestra. There have been other small jazz groups named Kansas City 7, but Kerry Strayer’s septet captures all the essentials and wraps them all up in one harmonious package. As it moves slowly and gracefully through Alan Broadbent’s “Don’t Ask Why,” for example, the septet combines trumpet, trombone, baritone saxophone and featured alto sax timbres together for a rich mixture. Lush and pretty, their blend brings out the beauty of the piece. Piano, bass and drums give it the final touch.

Baritone saxophonist Kerry Strayer studied with Gary Foster, hence the album’s title. Foster’s instrumental voices color the album with a majestic lead. The tradition of Kansas City swing moves straight-ahead into the modern mainstream. Swinging freely, these seven jazz artists improvise over established themes and have fun doing it.

Foster’s alto sax, clarinet, flute, and tenor provide strong leads. Strayer’s baritone, Earlie Braggs’ trombone, and Barry Springer’s trumpet follow suit with expressive forays. The arrangements include solos from the piano trio as well as fours. Strayer’s baritone carries an unusual lightness. Like Gerry Mulligan, he swings lyrically and leaves behind any thoughts of the instrument being large and bulky. In his hands, the deep-voiced instrument serves the same purpose as that of his mentor. Together, Strayer and Foster lead with featured instrumental voices that reflect the best in straight-ahead jazz.

Visit Kerry Strayer on the web.

Track Listing

Saturday 10 AM; Gaviota; A Flower is a Lovesome Thing; Sweet Lips; Siempre Me Va Bien; Don

Personnel

Kerry Strayer

Kerry Strayer- baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone on

Album information

Title: Mentor | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Kerry Strayer Productions

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Me and Mr. Johnson
< Previous

Passion
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.