Steve Turre

One4J Paying Homage to J.J.Johnson

TELARC CD-83555

Steve Turre, Joe Alessi, Steve Davis, Robin Eubanks, Andre Hayward, Douglas Purviance, trombones; Stephen Scott, Renee Rosnes, piano; Peter Washington, bass; Victor Lewis, drums; Abou M'Boup, percussion

Make no mistake, this is beautiful. The best guys (and our favorite lady pianist) paying homage to J. J. Johnson. The Master would have been pleased. How do you describe this kind of Jazz? Well, it's all around you, Jazz you know about and love, a loose intro and then someone segueing into a solo, so naturally. These guys are in great form and there's not a superfluous ounce of theater to mar the scene. The rhythm section is a dream outfit and they support with aplomb (hey, you gotta strut with a guy on trombone when he get rolling). Scott has a full, precise sound when he fills and his solos are likelikeoh, they just swing.Washington does sterling service and keeps the rest of the deep guys in their places. Lewis seems to have tightened his skins for this one to remain crisp over all that brass. It is amazing how the trio keep their end up, Imagine, six trombones. But deed they do! We hear Rosnes only once, and she is pretty emphatic while she scatters frozen petals of sound throughout Johnson's "Enigma," which she does in duet with Turre. Turre (and Scott) grooves on the African percussion on the last track. With eight from eleven numbers by Johnson, these trombone masters give more than a nod to the boss. Solid. Swinging. Buy! You won't regret it.

by LawrenceBrazier

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