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262

Article: Album Review

Cedar Walton: The Maestro

by David A. Orthmann
August 1, 2000

There’s a lot of memorable music on this reissue of two sessions recorded a decade apart. The common element is the presence of longtime Walton associates, bassist David Williams and drummer Billy Higgins, who play on all 12 tracks. The music from December, 1980 (tracks 1-8) includes tenor saxophonist Bob Berg (the fourth member of the ...

157

Article: Album Review

Richard Wyands: Half and Half

by David A. Orthmann
August 1, 2000

Although his resume includes stints with major jazz figures such as Charles Mingus, Ella Fitzgerald, and Eric Dolphy, it wasn’t until the 1990s that pianist Richard Wyands had the opportunity to consistently record as a leader. A number of fine discs on the Criss Cross, SteepleChase and DIW labels displayed Wyands’ skills as a strong, imaginative ...

144

Article: Album Review

Andy Middleton: Nomad's Notebook

by David A. Orthmann
August 1, 2000

Tenor and soprano saxophonist Andy Middleton’s third disc as a leader is a mixed bag of middle-eastern melodies, jazz-rock fusion (played with acoustic instruments), and pieces that fit comfortably in the modern mainstream of jazz. The unifying element in all of this music is the exemplary musicianship of Middleton and his core band of guitarist and ...

435

Article: Album Review

Cedar Walton: The Maestro

by David A. Orthmann
August 1, 2000

225

Article: Album Review

Norman Simmons: The Art Of Norman Simmons

by David A. Orthmann
August 1, 2000

As the accompanist for singers Dakota Staton, Carmen McRae, and Joe Williams, as well as a member of bands led by Johnny Griffin, Roy Eldridge and others, pianist Norman Simmons has spent little of his fifty-plus years as a musician in the spotlight. On the appropriately titled The Art of Norman Simmons, he successfully strikes a ...

280

Article: Album Review

Donald Byrd & Pepper Adams: Motor City Scene

by David A. Orthmann
July 1, 2000

A reissue of a session originally released in 1961, Motor City Scene is an excellent example of the wealth of talent in the Detroit area during the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Co-led by trumpeter Donald Byrd and baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams, the cast includes a veritable who’s who of jazzmen on their respective instruments: pianist Tommy ...

206

Article: Album Review

Jim Rotondi: Excursions

Read "Excursions" reviewed by David A. Orthmann

by David A. Orthmann
July 1, 2000

During the course of Excursions, his third disc as a leader for the Criss Cross imprint, Jim Rotondi continually finds ways of breathing new life into the straight-ahead, three horns and rhythm format. Rotondi has written and chosen a variety of tunes ranging from up and medium tempo swingers (“Angel Eyes,” “Shortcake,” “Little Karin”) to a ...

252

Article: Album Review

Joe Locke: Beauty Burning

Read "Beauty Burning" reviewed by David A. Orthmann

by David A. Orthmann
July 1, 2000

On Beauty Burning, the fourteenth release under his own name, it's clear that vibraphonist Joe Locke was interested in making a good recording rather than merely providing a showcase for his own considerable talents. The disc is a thoughtful mixture of intimate, finely tuned ensemble playing and capable solos by the leader, pianist Frank Kimbrough, bassist ...

191

Article: Album Review

Bruce Williams: Altoicity

Read "Altoicity" reviewed by David A. Orthmann

by David A. Orthmann
July 1, 2000

The music on Bruce Williams’ Altoicity covers a variety of jazz styles from the past 60 years. Along with his front line partner, trumpeter Russell Gunn, and the formidable support of pianist Marc Cary, bassist Gerald Cannon, and drummer Cecil Brooks III (who doubles as the disc’s producer), the alto saxophonist displays his fluency in frameworks ...

216

Article: Album Review

Ron Blake: Up Front and Personal

by David A. Orthmann
June 1, 2000

Up Front and Personal, tenor and soprano saxophonist Ron Blake’s long overdue debut as a leader, exhibits a healthy respect for the jazz tradition and a willingness to step into the future. The disc features Blake and a kinetic rhythm section consisting of pianist Shedrick Mitchell, bassist Reuben Rogers, and the drums and cymbals of Greg ...