Jimmy Owens, The Monk Project (IPO)
In this Thelonious Monk tribute, trumpeter Owens’ septet includes pianist Kenny Barron, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland and low-register specialist Howard Johnson on tuba and baritone sax. Kenny Davis is the bassist, Winard Harper the drummer. There are good solos throughout, but the stars of the album are Owens’ conceptions of the tunes, and his arrangements. He brings freshness through textures and tempos. Among the surprises: a Latin approach to “Well You Needn’t,” “Let’s Cool One” as a waltz and “Brilliant Corners” alternating between a crawl and a blues-inflected march
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.
Jimmy Owens is one of those veteran musicians who richly deserves greater recognition. I recall seeing Jimmy at Newport back in the 60s, when he was part of a collection of top trumpet players – Dizzy, Howard McGhee, Bobby Hackett, etc. When it came time for JImmy to solo, he lifted his old rotary-valve fluegelhorn and blew a solo that had the other horn players’ heads turning and the afternoon Newport audience paying attention for a change. I hope your note on The Monk Project helps. I’ll do my bit and buy one. How about your other visitors?
Thanks for tip, a much unsung and under-recorded very good musician.