Archive for the ‘Kenny Washington’ Category
Jim Snidero – Standards + Plus (2000 – Double Time)
Supported by a flawless grooving rhythm section (pianist Mike LeDonne, bassist Dennis Irwin, drummer Kenny Washington), Snidero finesses his way through this set with a level of expertise that makes it seem like he was born hugging an alto saxophone.
The group’s swinging treatment of “You And The Night And The Music” works two perspectives at the same time in that it marries a modal approach with straight changes; Snidero floats over the extended vamp with flexible phrases, While Ledonne fluidly negotiates the less harmonically stationary section of the arrangement.
“Round Midnight” gives Snidero a chance to lay back and relax, seamlessly moving from lyrical, succinct ideas to more active lines. And “Bluesville” is a medium tempo 12-bar outing that adds a funky factor to the otherwise sophisticated program. Throughout the set, LeDonne does everything right, pumping out hip voicings and fills that catalyze Snidero, enabling him to improvise with exceptional freedom and fluency.
JazzTimes (Jim Ferguson)
2. Long Ago (And Far Away)
3. ‘Round Midnight
4. Twilight Waltz
5. Along Came Betty
6. You’re My Everything
7. Bluesville
8. What’s New?
9. Without a Song
Personnel:
Jim Snidero (Alt Sax)
Mike LeDonne (Piano)
Dennis Irwin (Bass)
Kenny Washington (Drums)
Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 28. & 29. 8. 1997 – Label: Double Time
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Wycliffe Gordon – Cone And T-Staff (2010 – Criss Cross)
While Wycliffe Gordon is the identified leader on Cone and T-Staff, this is just as much a cooperative effort by the trombonist and bandmate trumpeter Terell Stafford. What they have in common here is that they are soft served, but not verbally or musically — both utilizing bell mutes on quite a few of these selections, the two veteran brass players swing together swiftly or lightly through this program of modern mainstream jazz and three originals. Everyone, including pianist Mike LeDonne, is in good form, as the quintet moves in and out of bop, classic standards, soul-jazz, and modal music played effortlessly. The 6/8 Wes Montgomery evergreen “West Coast Blues,” Curtis Fuller’s stirring midtempo “Arabia,” the bebop icon “Robbin’s Nest,” and the Kenny Washington bass lead on Oscar Pettiford’s “Tricotism” are played with high professionalism, easily enjoyable to all. Stafford’s bluesy “Cousins,” with mutes in full blush, and the neo-bop clockwork of “La Marieur” could both quickly become standards alongside the others, as they are attractive melodically and rhythmically. Gordon and Stafford have excelled as leaders in their own right, but together they are a precious tandem, like a modern-day J.J. Johnson and Lee Morgan, here on the cozy, cushy side.
Michael G. Nastos (All Music Guide)
Original Release Date: 2010 – Label: Criss Cross
Tim Hagans & Marcus Printup:HubSongs (The Music of Freddie Hubbard) (1998 – Blue Note)
Hubsongs is a tribute to the great Freddie Hubbard by young trumpeters Tim Hagans and Marcus Printup. Produced by Hubbard himself, the album features an all-star cast (including saxopohonist Javon Jackson and pianist Benny Green) turning in an outstanding performance that is a testament to Hubbard’s influence. From the blistering “Hub Cap” and “Byrd Like” to the mournful “Lament For Booker,” Hubbard’s impact in sound, swing and soulfulness is evident in the work of Hagans and Printup. These young lions are more than just note-takers, though. They’ve taken Hubbard’s principles of sound and expanded on them.
The bulk of the material is drawn from Hubbard’s hard bop days at BlueNote and his jazz/funk output for the Atlantic label. Vincent Herring (alto), Javon Jackson (tenor), Benny Green (piano), Peter Washington (bass), and Kenny Washington (drums) provide the twin trumpeters with “all-star” support. Green is most effective in a duo role with Hagans and Printup while Jackson gets to strut his stuff on “Thermo”, a bop classic that dates back to Hubbard’s tenure with Art Blakey. Herring is best heard on an intense performance of “Life Flight”. The real stars of this date are, of course, Tim and Marcus. I’m betting that Freddie was thrilled by their crackling interplay and inventive improvisations on this terrific “tribute” CD.
John Sharpe (All about Jazz)
1. Backlash
2. Happy Times
3. Hub Cap
4. Lament For Booker
5. On the que-Tee
6. Crisis
7. Byrd Like
8. Thermo
9. Up Jumped Spring
10. Life Flight
Tim Hagans (Trumpet)
Marcus Printup (Trumpet)
Vincent Herring (Alto Sax)
Javon Jackson (Tenor Sax)
Benny Green (Piano)
Peter Washington (Bass)
Kenny Washington (Drums)
Original Release Date: January 13, 1998 – Label: Blue Note Records
Across Rhythm 