“Collective
Portrait” is much more than just the title of Eddie Henderson’s new CD. For Henderson, it’s the heart and soul of
the remarkable trumpet master’s entire approach to music expression. Taking a
cue from Miles Davis’ statement that “a collective portrait is better than a
self-portrait,” Henderson has assembled a stellar cast of musicians to create
music forged with the classic qualities of synergy and empathy essential for
jazz at its highest level. Reuniting with pianist George Cables and alto
saxophonist Gary Bartz—musical collaborators for nearly 40 years—along with the
perfectly simpatico bass and drums tandem of Doug Weiss and Carl Allen, the
disc embodies the creative spirit and adventurousness that is always the
primary goal of all of Henderson’s musical endeavors.
Legendary
alto saxophonist and Charles Mingus alum Charles
McPherson teams up with Colorado cats Keith Oxman, Chip Stephens, Ken
Walker and Todd Reid for his latest outing, “The Journey.” The recording
features three originals by McPherson as well as two originals from tenor man
Oxman and one from pianist Stephens. The rest of the date has bop-infused standards
from Richard Rodgers, Sammy Cahn and Charlie Parker. McPherson calls the date, “fruitful
and joyous” and the tunes “a great representation of the collective spirit and
vitality of this group.”
Also this
week, Texas-based guitarist Chris Cortez
offers up an eclectic mix of standards, a few originals and a few re-imagined
pop tunes in the jazz tradition on “Top Secret!”; drummer Robert Jospe releases a double CD with his new band the Robert
Jospe Express in both trio and quartet settings for “Doin’ It Up”; and veteran
flutist Sam Most recorded and
finished his final project, “New Jazz Standards,” just one month prior to his
passing in June of 2013.
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