Howard University Jazz Ensemble 2023: Nefertiti

The Howard University Jazz Ensemble was formed almost half a century ago, in 1975, by Fred Irby III, its first—and, so far, only—music director. Every year since 1976, the ensemble has recorded and released an album to showcase its prowess and growth under Irby's baton.

This year's entry, Nefertiti, is a tribute to the legendary saxophonist Wayne Shorter, many of whose compositions have become jazz standards, including the album's title song. Interestingly, Shorter, a twelve-time Grammy winner and NEA Jazz Master who died in March 2023, never earned Howard University's annual Benny Golson Jazz Master Award. This homage may help redress the oversight.

The sensuous "Nefertiti," which opens the album, is the only theme on the menu written by Shorter; the others are designed to exemplify his irrepressible spirit. Cedar Walton, Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver are represented, as are Stevie Wonder, Antonio Adolfo, the Bee Gees, Irving Berlin and classical composer Erik Satie. "Portrait of a Breath" was written by a member of the ensemble, vibraphonist Sean MacCarthy-Grant. Ron Horton arranged half a dozen numbers, Rob Lussier arranged. Silver's "Pretty Eyes" and Berlin's "Remember," Mike Crotty Walton's "Hindsight."

Unlike most other albums by the ensemble, Nefertiti is long on beauty but low on heat and short on solos. Exceptions are "Hindsight," Monk's "Green Chimneys," the Bee Gees' "How Deep Is Your Love" and Berlin's "Remember," normally played as a ballad but quickened by Lussier to let the ensemble shine behind trim solos by alto saxophonist Langston Hughes II and guitarist Kyle Rice. "How Deep" closes the session in a swinging groove enhanced by pianist Jason Woods Jr.'s bright solo and forceful drumming by Samuel Prather.

Trumpeter Paul bailey delivers a couple of pleasing solos ("Hindsight," "Green Chimneys"), as do guitarist Jackson Dunkin ("Heart of Brazil," "Pretty Eyes"), tenor Antonio Parker ("Green Chimneys") and MacCarthy-Grant ("Pretty Eyes") who plays bongos and congas on the relatively moderate "Heart of Brazil." As this may well be the last recording supervised by Irby, who plans to step aside as director next year, it is good to note that the HUJE is as well-designed and proficient as ever, and Nefertiti is a quite pleasant way to say goodbye.