Rufus Reid, Out Front (Motéma). Passionate performances of compositions by its members highlight this album by the stalwart bassist’s new trio. Reid’s “Caress the Thought” evolves through changing atmospheres and rhythms into a crescendo and a peaceful resolution. Drummer Duduka Da Fonseca’s “Doña Maria” alternates between the samba tradition of his native Brazil and the mainstream jazz of his adopted country. Pianist Steve Allee drew on twelve-tone music in “The Rise of the Row,” but the mood of the piece is closer to Bill Evans than to Schoenberg. Throughout, Reid’s bass is remarkable for its depth, richness and power.





The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
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