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Mark Colby: Speaking of Stan
ByIn befriending Getz, Colby was given a unique opportunity to listen to and learn from one of the greatest jazz saxophonists who ever lived. Judging from the music presented here, I am moved to avow that he learned his lessons well. While Colby doesn't play exactly like Getz, there's more than enough similarity in his sound and style to readily connect the dots. There are times when one could almost swear that he (or she) was listening to a new recording by Stanwhich would be impossible, as he passed away in June 1991but the impression soon fades as Colby's creative temperament arises to take the music in a new direction. Even so, that glorious Getz-like sound lingers in one's ears...
In putting together his tribute, Colby writes, he "decided to choose material from a variety of sources, some of which Stan had never played, but I think, would have enjoyed doing so. Mark's friends Bob Meyer and Chris Madsen composed new works ("When It Matters, "Give and Take ) and Colby wrote "What Is a Buddha? (aka "What Is This Thing Called Love? ). Engaging compositions by Benny Carter, Irving Berlin, Sergio Milhanovich, Chick Corea, Gary Burton and Gigi Gryce precede the suitable musical finale, Gordon Jenkins' plaintive "Goodbye. The album closes with Colby's interesting three-minute reminiscence, "Speaking of Stan.
The instrumentation varies as well, with a six-piece string section added on "When It Matters and "Give and Take, a fifteen-member big band backing Colby on Gryce's swinging "Blue Getz Blues. "Goodbye is a duet for Colby and pianist Jim McNeely, who is part of a quartet (with bassist Kelly Sill and drummer Joel Spencer) on Milhanovich's "Sometime Ago, Colby's "Buddha and Berlin's "How Deep Is the Ocean? A second quartet on the remaining three numbers includes vibraphonist Dick Sisto, bassist Eric Hochberg and drummer Bob Rummage.
While Stan Getz would no doubt have been greatly pleased by what his friend has produced, Speaking of Stan isn't just another "tribute album but stands securely on its own as a splendid paradigm of contemporary Jazz. In saying thanks to Getz, Mark Colby has shown again that he is one of this country's foremost tenor stylists, one whose voice, no less than Stan's, deserves to be widely heard and appreciated.
Track Listing
When It Matters; Only Trust Your Heart; How Deep Is the Ocean; Sometime Ago; What Is a Buddha?; Sea Journey; Out of Focus; Give and Take; Blue Getz Blues; Goodbye; Speaking of Stan. (66:31)
Personnel
Mark Colby
saxophoneMark Colby: tenor saxophone. (Tracks 1,8) Jim Trompeter: piano; Eric Hochberg: bass; Bob Rummage: drums; Peter LaBella, Kevin Case, Teresa Fream, Mike Shelton: violin; Terri Van Valkinburgh: viola; Pete Szczepanek: cello. (Tracks 2,6,7) Dick Sisto: vibraphone; Eric Hochberg: bass; Bob Rummage: drums. (Tracks 3-5) Jim McNeely: piano; Kelly Sill: bass; Joel Spencer: drums. (Track 9) Rob Parton, Scott Wagstaff, Kirk Garrison, Mike McGrath: trumpet; Bob Frankich, Bob Rzeszutko, Brian Budzik, Ted Hogarth: reeds; Tom Garling, Brian Jacobi, Andy Baker: trombone; Tom Matta: bass trombone; Don Stille: piano; Tim Fox: bass; Bob Rummage: drums. (Track 10) Jim McNeely: piano.
Album information
Title: Speaking of Stan | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Hallway Records