New: Torben Waldorff, Afterburn (ArtistShare). The Danish guitarist accomodates his early rock leanings to absorption with expansive jazz of the kind that thrives in downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn and is spreading around the world. Waldorff, tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin and pianist-organist Sam Yahel are leaders among the articulate standard bearers of the movement. They play off one another with fiery inventiveness and with grace that allows the music to breathe. Bassist Matt Clohesy and drummer Jon Wikan are fully immersed in the new sensibility. All of the compositions but one are by Waldorff. The one is Maria Schneider’s “Choro Dancado,” first recorded on her Concert in the Garden CD. The curve of its Brazilian melodic shape and the elegance of its harmonies inspire a superb performance. Waldorff’s chromaticized “Skyliner” (unrelated to the old Charlie Barnet piece) is another high point.
Old: Art Farmer, Modern Art, UA/Blue Note. This 1958 session paired the trumpeter with
tenor saxophonist Benny Golson in what amounted to a preview of their cooperative band The Jazztet. The pianist was Bill Evans in a brilliant sideman appearance before he left Miles Davis and formed his own trio. Art’s twin brother Addison was the bassist, Dave Bailey the drummer. Farmer and Golson had a nearly symbiotic relationship, but it was Evans who inspired Farmer to some of his best playing on record. The pianist’s own solos on “The Touch of Your Lips” and “Like Someone in Love” are masterpieces. The young, developing, McCoy Tyner was the pianist when Golson and Farmer launched The Jazztet in 1959. This CD tantalizes the listener with intimations of the glories that might have flowered in that group if Evans had been aboard. It is one of the most satisfying recordings of the l950s.
Thanks much for the tip about the subject Art Farmer album. I was not aware that Bill Evans provided piano accompaniment until reading your review. It’s now part of my jazz library.
I’ve been out of touch the past several days, but caught up this morning, noting your appreciation of the Modern Art album w/ Art Farmer, Golson, Evans, brother Addison and Bailey. I bought the album when it was new, when I was a college student, and it has survived numberless moves around the country. It remains one of those recordings that I turn to again and again. There’s not a bum cut on it and thanks for reminding me to listen to it again today.
I got Torben Waldorff‘s Afterburn and love it. He got a nice band. Donny McCaslin is awesome.