Nick Brignola: What It Takes

Nick Brignola was one of the greatest baritone saxophonists of the 20th century and this album was one of his best and most far-ranging efforts. Focusing on straight ahead and bop oriented material, Brignola begins the album with an up-tempo of version of “Star Eyes” in the style of Charlie Parker. Randy Brecker on trumpet delivers a great solo that is reminiscent of Charlie Shavers. “Au Privare,” another Parker favorite, is performed with muted trumpet and Brignola on clarinet doubling the melody.

Brignola delivers a highly emotional reading of Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood,” a piece that Ellington often used to feature the talents of his baritone saxophonist Harry Carney. Brignola’s performance and style are very different from Carney’s, but the end result is equally satisfying. In Ellington’s “Cotton Tail, Brignola takes great solos on both soprano and baritone saxophones. His high range on baritone saxophone is simply astonishing.

The other songs on the album feature a variety of moods and styles. Tom Harrell’s haunting bossa nova “Sail Away” is lovingly performed by Brignola on soprano saxophone. His solo brings out a feature of this song that I had never noticed before, namely, that the tune is based on the changes of “The Boy Next Door.” “The Sweetwater Strut” is exactly that—a strut that features a bluesy solo by Brignola on alto saxophone. Two other pieces round out the album, the medium tempo “Asia” (with Brignola on soprano saxophone) and the up-tempo “Voyage,” featuring baritone sax, trumpet and piano solos. Special mention should be made of Dick Berk’s contribution to the album. Not only is he a gifted keeper of time, but a drummer who knows how to swing using brushes.

This is an outstanding album by one of the truly great jazz musicians who should have received more acclaim during his lifetime. You’ll want to listen to this one again and again and help to keep the legacy of Nick Brignola alive.