By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Silver Streams
During the years I’ve
reviewed jazz releases, I’ve noticed that certain individuals often contribute
to the albums I enjoy the most. Such players generally appear individually,
as one of the sidemen in a group fronted by different leaders, but
sometimes they'll perform together. Such is the case in this album: The
“leader” is drummer Joe La Barbara, supported by bassist Tom Warrington,
pianist Bill Cunliffe, trumpeter Clay Jenkins and reed master Bob Sheppard.
These artists have much in
common: All obtained college degrees from schools famous for the jazz artists
they have graduated; all are teachers who play jazz as a sideline; all compose
and arrange; and all have extensive experience with famous "name"
combos and orchestras (many were with these groups at the same time).
Jenkins has appeared with
Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Harry James and Count Basie; Sheppard with Rich, Bob
Florence and Chick Corea; Cunliffe with numerous artists, and with several of
his own orchestras; Warrington with Rich, Florence, Peggy Lee and Freddie
Hubbard; and La Barbara with Rich, Bill Evans and many, many others.
On top of which, these five
musicians are all close friends, and they play together brilliantly.
Two of the eight tracks were
contributed by Cunliffe ("Afluencia" and "Silver Streams") and one by La Barbara ("Monkey Tree"). The
late Scott LaFaro, who played bass with Bill Evans for years, contributed "Jade Visions."
The rest are standards by other jazz composers, and the common denominator
is swing: They all groove wonderfully.
This is what results
when a handful of great artists — who enjoy each other — get together: truly
great jazz!
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