Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Jimmy Simmons and Friends: Red, White and You: Homecoming 2005

235

Jimmy Simmons and Friends: Red, White and You: Homecoming 2005

By

Sign in to view read count
Jimmy Simmons and Friends: Red, White and You: Homecoming 2005
In case the name doesn't ring a bell, Jimmy Simmons is the president of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas—a university president who doubles on saxophone, clarinet and piano! No kidding. His friends at this Homecoming 2005 concert (and studio recording) include the Lamar University Alumni Jazz Ensemble under director Wayne Dyess and a number of invited guests.

Simmons, whose gritty tenor saxophone is featured on Patrick Williams' "Her Song, is surprisingly good. In other words, he's one hip headmaster who isn't playing simply because he's the man in charge and can do so. Simmons and everyone else is given staunch support by the alumni ensemble, which should record an album of its own (if it hasn't already done so). Dyess doubles too, and his smooth trombone is front and center on "There Will Never Be Another You.

Other alumni in the spotlight include bluesy vocalists Sharon Montgomery ("Let the Good Times Roll, "I Got It Bad ), Becky Barksdale ("Muddy Water ) and John Calderon ("Stormy Monday, "Just for a Thrill ), alto saxophonist Jim Boone ("Autumn Leaves ), baritone Kurt Killion ("Don't Get Around Much Anymore ), trombonist Travis Harris ("Beautiful Love, "I'm Getting Sentimental ), pianist Charlie Prause ("All of Me ) and tenor Don Rollins (Tom Kubis' great arrangement of "When You're Smiling ). Drummer Billy McQueen, an LU music major, takes charge on the spirited finale, Cole Porter's "In the Still of the Night.

As near as I can reckon, seven of the thirteen selections were recorded in concert, the others in a studio. "Stormy Monday was most likely performed live, but it's hard to tell, as it fades before the ending. The tracks featuring Simmons, Boone, Dyess, Barksdale, Rollins and McQueen were definitely set down in a studio. Be that as it may, everything is well done, and the concert numbers are admirably recorded. Simmons has some remarkably talented friends, and together they know how to throw a delightful party.

Track Listing

Let the Good Times Roll; Her Song; Autumn Leaves; There Will Never Be Another You; I Got It Bad and That Ain

Personnel

Jimmy Simmons: tenor sax, clarinet, piano; Jeff Laird, Rusty Lay, Kevin Stone, Michael Westbrook, Ray Gonzales, Raul Ornelas: trumpet; Don Rollins, David McArthur, Mike Smith: tenor sax; Jim Boone, Richard Cantu: alto sax; Kurt Killion: baritone sax; Wayne Dyess, Travis Harris, David Jernigan, Lanny Marshall, Donnie Todd: trombone; Charlie Prause, Freddie Titus: piano; David Johnson: bass guitar; Billy McQueen, Daryl Wilson: drums; Sharon Montgomery: vocals; Becky Barksdale, John Calderon: guitar, vocals.

Album information

Title: Red, White and You: Homecoming 2005 | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Lamar U Jazz

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

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

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