Greg Burrows: Let’s Not Wait: The Music Of Ed Bonoff
Greg Burrows debuted as a leader late in life with Tell Your Story in 2021. Burrows, a Maryland-based drummer with a reputed pedigree as a New York sideman, follows a similar traditional path on Let’s Not Wait, lining up stalwarts such as saxophonist Tim Armacost and Gary Smulyan. Let’s Not Wait is dedicated to Ed Bonoff, surviving drummer from the 1940s-60s and a noted composer, who was closely involved with this subtly swinging and jubilant tribute.
Bonoff’s heart belongs to Maine. Both Spruce Alley and Acadian Nights are homages to the Pine Tree State and evocative melodies that thrive on a relaxed, loping tempo. As appears from Piazza Navona, Rome is a similar delight to Bonoff. The tune is a delightful banger which short sections of tension and release, slowed-down tempo and off-beat notes in the horn ensemble revealing nifty arrangement skills. Ellington is saluted with a ballad medley and Shout ’Em, Aunt Tilly, the latter an entertaining, roaring New Orleans-type stomp.
The ensembles of tenor, baritone and trombone are tight knit and warm sounding. The sprightly Burrows has a good rapport with the experienced crew, which favours balanced storytelling over useless exercises on Muscle Beach. Comes with age, no doubt.
Discography
Piazza Navona; Meatloaf And Margaux; It Just Gets Better; Shout ’Em, Aunt Tillie; Spruce Alley; Let’s Not Wait; Ellington/Strayhorn Medley; Le Corbeau De Chavignol; Acadian Nights (65.25)
Burrows (d); Tim Armacost (ts, ss); Gary Smulyan (bs); John Fumasoli (tr); Hiroshi Yamazaki (p); Al Orlo (g); Rich Zurkowski (d). Patterson, 28 February 2024.
Grebu 1002
Doug Raney: Never Say Yes
No mistaking, Doug Raney, son of the influential guitar giant Jimmy Raney, was a class act on his own. Perennially underrated, Doug Raney inherited his father’s exceptional harmonic skills, while adding a fiery, natural flow that’s to die for. His work on SteepleChase, including three acclaimed efforts with Chet Baker, is top-notch.
Based in Denmark, Raney commonly collaborated with Europeans, among those bassist Jesper Lundgaard. Lungaard’s flexible presence is felt on Never Say Yes, a previously unreleased studio performance in Copenhagen from 1986. The line-up is completed by pianist Ben Beziakov and drummer Jukko Kotila; unknowns (to me), yet part of a solid group that sustains energy throughout this set of standards.
Raney grabs the fast-paced beat of Coltrane’s Giant Steps and Cole Porter’s Get Out Of Town by the balls with constantly refreshed variations of bop patterns. I don’t know which is more beautiful – Raney’s tuneful handling of the melody of All Or Nothing At All, or his skilfully constructed solo on this old ballad warhorse. All I can say is Never Say Yes is a most welcome reminder of Raney’s greatness.
Discography
Never Say Yes; Softly As In A Morning Sunrise; I’m Old Fashioned; I Hear A Rhapsody; Giant Steps; All Or Nothing At All; Get Out Of Town (43.27)
Raney (g); Ben Besiakov (p); Jesper Lundgaard (b); Jukkis Uotilla (d). Copenhagen, 9 January 1986.
Storyville 1014368
Christian McBride: Without Further Ado, Vol. 1
Mack Avenue and Christian McBride think big. Among others, Without Further Ado Vol. 1 features Samara Joy and José James. Not to mention Sting. I tend to be sceptical of star-studded albums – a phenomenon that blew over from pop music and involves the risk of obscuring the leader’s identity.
Having said that, assessed on its own merits, McBride’s introduction of star colleagues is a strong effort. For one thing, it’s always a treat to hear one of the great bassists in jazz at work – here his punch, old-school sound and tasteful note choices push along a solid big band. Besides, his occasional switch to the electric bass is more than a mere hobby. It must’ve been an odd experience to play bass on a Sting song. At any rate, Murder By Numbers (co-written by and featuring former Police guitarist Andy Summers) is a radio-friendly winner, uplifted by Sting’s satin voice, still perfectly suitable for smooth pop-jazz after all these years.
It’s not the album highlight. That honour is reserved for Cole Porter’s All Through The Night, sung by virtuoso Cécile McLorin Salvant, typically off-beat, vibrant as the buzz of The Big Apple, lean as a kitten that chases a toy mouse. McBride’s bowed bass solo is equally breathtaking. The Philadelphia-born bassist’s own Cold Chicken Suite is serious fun, reminding of records Quincy Jones arranged for Ray Charles and ending his “commercial” album with a real down-home bang.
Discography
Murder By Numbers; Back In Love Again; Old Folks; Moanin’; All Through The Night; Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow; Come Rain Or Shine; Op. 49 – Cold Chicken Suite, 3rd Movement (37.14)
Christian McBride (b); Xavier Davis (p, elp, clav); Rodney Jones (g); McClenty Hunter (d). Guests including Sting, Samara Joy, José James, Cécile McLorin Salvant (v); Brandon Lee (t); Ron Blake (ts); Michael Dease (tb). New York, 23-25 September and 4-5 October 2024.
Mack Avenue 12032
