John DiMartino Passion Flower: The Music of Billy Strayhorn

John DiMartino
Passion Flower: The Music of Billy Strayhorn
Gemini Music Co.

As Russ Musto observes in the liner notes to pianist John DiMartino's new recording, the music of Billy Strayhorn "has become recognized as one of the most important bodies of work in 20th Century American music." DiMartino, a pianist some may know from his stints with David 'Fathead' Newman and Houston Person, first got acquainted with Billy Strayhorn's music when, as a 15-year-old, an older cousin requested he learn a tune. Later he heard Grover Washington's recording of "Passion Flower," Bobby Tucker gave him the music for "A Flower Is a Lonesome Thing." In recent years, he has been performing this music with Paquito D'Rivera.

DiMartino leads a quartet of Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone, Boris Koslov on bass, and Lewis Nash on drums. Raul Midón sings on one selection. From the swing of the opening "Johnny Come Lately" to the haunting beauty of "Chelsea Bridge" and "Passion Flower," the quartet develops the inherent melodic qualities and beauty of Strayhorn's music. Alexander is in excellent form as a ballad master and storyteller in the tradition of Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster, Houston Person. At the same time, bassist Koslov and drummer Nash add their own contributions.

Whether soloing or adding his flourishes comping behind Alexander, DiMartino displays grace and taste. His solo rendition of "A Flower is a Lonesome Thing" is one of delicate beauty. Then there is his exquisite accompaniment to Midón's vocal on "Lush Life." He also adds a new veneer to such classic tunes as "Star Crossed Lovers," played as a bossa nova, the spirited "Raincheck," and "Take the A Train." With the outstanding backing provided as well as his marvelous piano, John DiMartino's "Passion Flower" is a sublime recording that does justice to Billy Strayhorn's superb music.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is "Chelsea Bridge" from this recording.

Eric Alexander With Strings

Eric Alexander
With Strings
High Note Records

Eric Alexander has over three decades, established himself as a tenor saxophone virtuoso with considerable technical skill. His fluent, stirring work has gained him countless fans among his fellow musicians as well as listeners. As Steve Futterman observes in the liner notes, Alexander's technical proficiency "can often obscure gifts for lyricism and openly expressive offerings… ." This recording with strings fulfills a long-held dream for Alexander. It has him and his quartet of David Hazeltine on piano, John Webber on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums augmented by a string orchestra arranged and conducted by Dave Rivello.

This release allows Alexander's lyricism and gift for embellishing melody to shine against the lush string setting as his rhythm section pushes the performances along. Things get off to a terrific start on his original "Gently." Then there is a superb rendition of Leonard Bernstein's "Some Other Time," where he takes off on with some highly animated, not merely pretty playing. Other highpoints include the euphonic rendition of Horace Silver's "Lonely Woman," and a hauntingly beautiful version of the standard (not the B.B. King hit), "The Thrill Is Gone," with lovely flute and french horn heard in the swing orchestra.

While the playing time is relatively short, Eric Alexander's playing is terrific, placing his lyrical expressiveness at the forefront. While this CD was recorded in 2013, it was worth the wait to have it released.

I received a review copy from High Note/ Savant Records. While without strings, this video has Eric Alexander performing "Embraceable You" with a group that included the late Harold Mabern on piano, John Webber on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums.

 

Mike LeDonne Keeps The Faith.

I was not familiar with organist Mike LeDonne prior to listening to his new Savant CD Keep The Faith. LeDonne grew up on hard soul and funk before falling under the spell of Miles Davis and Wes Montgomery and the swing feeling. He spent eleven years in the legendary vibist, Milt Jackson’s quartet before establishing “The Groover Quartet” with saxophonist Eric Alexander, guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Joe Farnsworth. LeDonne’s band is well name as they hit the groove and run hard with it.

This disc opens with a dynamic rendition of the O’Jay’s hit, The Backstabbers, which establishes the mood with Alexander as well as the leader both being especially striking as drummer Farnsworth provides the hard swinging rhythm. The late Charles Earland was a major influence on LeDonne, and the Earland penned title track that hurdles out the gate like a runaway midnight special. Alexander takes things up a notch followed by fiery single note playing by Bernstein who certainly has become one of the most in demand guitarists (Sonny Rollins for one) and so at home in the context of an organ band. The leader himself provides plenty of chicken fried grease here as well followed by the three trading fours with drummer Farnsworth. Its typical of the fire to be heard here.

LeDonne’s original blues, Big John, is a tribute to another jazz organ master, John Patton. The relaxed walking tempo provides a change of pace from the burners that opened this album. It is followed by the relaxed groove in an interpretation of Michael Jackson’s The Way You Make Me Feel.” The four invest quite a bit of feeling into Donny Hathaway’s classic Someday We’ll All Be Free. Another LeDonne original, Scratchin’ is fleet groover as Bernstein takes a driving solo followed by some strong tenor sax while “Burner’s Idea” is a hot bluesy number that shows inspiration in Earland’s similarly styled compositions (Earland’s nickname was “The Mighty Burner”). The leader takes us to the church of organ blues here.

This writer is an unabashed fan of organ jazz. Listening to this was like being an eleven year boy alone in a candy store. However, the musical treats of Mike LeDonne and The Groover Quartet, on Keep The Faith, have no calories, don’t promote tooth decay and is musically enriching. LeDonne has produced a superior organ jazz recording that will be listened to repeatedly by this writer.

My review copy was provided by Jazz & Blues Report for whom this review was written. Here is Mike and the Groover Quartet at the 2010 Chicago Jazz Festival.