Saxophonist Paul Kendall started his life in music on baritone before adding alto and tenor to his armoury, enabling him to sustain his life as a musician. For My Shining Hour he returns to his first love in order to play 14 of his favourite songs mainly written between 1940 and 1960.
Given the longevity of these popular and jazz standards, it becomes difficult for any bunch of musicians to say anything new on such material, hence we get a thoroughly workmanlike approach from this quartet which occasionally lifts above the norm. Kendall clearly doesn’t want to take any liberties with his favoured melodies and his rhythm section come from the same direction.
The leader is a fleet-fingered practitioner, avoiding any of the stodginess his instrument may be associated with and his fellow travellers give him plenty of buoyancy. There are no particular highlights to report but the title track is interesting as he chose to deliver this version accompanied only by drummer Petschauer.
This kind of release makes up the backbone of our music – simply well-played and very listenable.
Discography
(1) You Stepped Out Of Dream; All Of You; Everything Happens To Me; (2) My Shining Hour; (1) Joy Spring; Invitation; If You Could See Me Now; Once I Loved; Confirmation; Desafinado; Tangerine; Hi Fly; I Hear A Rhapsody; It Could Happen To You (59.32)
(1) Paul Kendall (bar); George Grund (p); Roy Cumming (b); Rudy Petschauer (d). No recording date supplied. (2) as (1) but omit Grund and Cumming.
Zoho ZM 202403
