Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Igor Butman: Only Now

36

Igor Butman: Only Now

By

Sign in to view read count
Igor Butman: Only Now
Tenor saxophonist Igor Butman, born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia, is one of a number of jazz musicians from Europe and Asia whose love for the music was nourished by nightly broadcasts from the Voice of America. Since emigrating to America in 1987 (he holds dual citizenship), Butman's virtuosity has been recognized by enthusiasts up to and including former president Bill Clinton who has called Butman "my favorite living saxophonist." Wynton Marsalis—in whose Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra Butman appeared as guest soloist in 1988—simply says, "Igor is my main man!"

Based on that sort of praise, expectations should have been high for the saxophonist's latest album, Only Now. Butman does not disappoint, displaying his mastery in every realm from ballads to blues, hard bop to blazers. To honor Marsalis, there are two versions of the playful, New Orleans-flavored "Blues for Wynton," the second of which closes the album. Marsalis wrote the music (Bobby McFerrin the lyric) of "Baby I Love You," sung blues-style by one of Butman's fellow countrymen, pianist Oleg Akkuratov, who has not let blindness stop him from becoming an acclaimed classical and jazz pianist at home and abroad. Butman and the ensemble (basically a quartet or quintet) open softly with the luminous "Egyptian Nights," on which he unveils his expansive arsenal of enlivening phrases and exemplary timbre and technique.

Guitarist Evgeniy Pobozhiy (he is from Russia, the first from his country to win the Herbie Hancock International Jazz Guitar Competition) solos on "Nights," as he does (admirably) on most other tracks. Drummer Antonio Sanchez anchors the responsive rhythm section, with bassists Eddie Gomez and Matt Brewer dividing those duties. Pobozhiy wrote the decisive "Verdict," Steve Swallow the mellow "Falling Grace," Gennady Gladkov the gently swaying "Golden Sun Ray." Besides "Blues for Wynton," Butman authored the shuffling "You've Got E-mail" and fast-paced "Only Now." While the group dynamic is impressive, Only Now is Butman's showcase, and it is his consummate artistry that sets the enterprise above and apart from most other dwellers in its neighborhood.

Track Listing

Egyptian Nights; Verdict; You’ve Got E-mail; Golden Sun Ray; Only Now; Blues for Wynton; Falling Grace; Baby I Love You; Blues for Wynton (quintet).

Personnel

Album information

Title: Only Now | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create 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.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve 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.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.