The great encounters between jazz musicians playing the same instrument are rarely “cutting contests" as seen in the movies. More often, they are thoughtful, musing conversations.
The dialogues that took place between tenor saxophonists Ted Brown and Joel Press in an informal session at Sofia's in New York City on June 30, 2010, resonate.
It didn't hurt the collective expression that Joel and Ted were joined by the very expert and empathic Michael Kanan, piano; Neal Miner, bass; Joe Hunt, drums. They embarked on three long conversations, captured below.
I've written about Joel Press before and offered a few moving performances of his. He has the power to surprise, to delight, and to provoke thought: I don't call him the SWING EXPLORER idly.
Ted Brown (a mere 82 at the time of this session) is known for his work with Warne Marsh, Hod O'Brien, Ronnie Ball, Lee Konitz, Lennie Tristano. I had heard him only on recordings, and was pleased and enlightened by his phrasing, emphatic yet gentle.
With the shades of Billie Holiday and Lester Young approving from the shadows, Joel and Ted embark on FOOLIN' MYSELF:
Here they explore I'LL REMEMBER APRIL:
And its conclusion:
Finally, a leisurely ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE:
And its second part:
I feel privileged to have been on the scene, to have heard and seen these superb players discoursing in the most casually deep fashion.
The dialogues that took place between tenor saxophonists Ted Brown and Joel Press in an informal session at Sofia's in New York City on June 30, 2010, resonate.
It didn't hurt the collective expression that Joel and Ted were joined by the very expert and empathic Michael Kanan, piano; Neal Miner, bass; Joe Hunt, drums. They embarked on three long conversations, captured below.
I've written about Joel Press before and offered a few moving performances of his. He has the power to surprise, to delight, and to provoke thought: I don't call him the SWING EXPLORER idly.
Ted Brown (a mere 82 at the time of this session) is known for his work with Warne Marsh, Hod O'Brien, Ronnie Ball, Lee Konitz, Lennie Tristano. I had heard him only on recordings, and was pleased and enlightened by his phrasing, emphatic yet gentle.
With the shades of Billie Holiday and Lester Young approving from the shadows, Joel and Ted embark on FOOLIN' MYSELF:
Here they explore I'LL REMEMBER APRIL:
And its conclusion:
Finally, a leisurely ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE:
And its second part:
I feel privileged to have been on the scene, to have heard and seen these superb players discoursing in the most casually deep fashion.
