Mulgrew Miller & Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen The Duo - Duke Ellington 100

 

The Duo - Duke Ellington 100
 Mulgrew Miller & Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
 Storyville
 
 This release on the Danish Storyville label is the first release of a 1999 session that Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Mulgrew Miller together to pay tribute to Duke Ellington on the 100th anniversary of his birth. The two were initially brought together by Bang & Olufsen to celebrate Ellington and his partnership with bassist Jimmy Blanton. NHØP was approached to take part and tapped Mulgrew Miller to tackle a series of Ellington's classic themes and a couple of their own. It was the beginning of the musical and personal partnership between the two.
 
The songs are all from Ellington except for one original from each. The two display marvelous musical chemistry, whether lightly swinging "C Jam Blues", develop the lyricism of "Sophisticated Lady," and playfully perform "Pitter Patter Panther." There is the lovely "Mood Indigo" and the driving piano rendition of "Caravan." Mulgrew's interpretations take us from stride to the post-bop, post-Bud Powell piano tradition that he was such an important representative of. Thanks to Storyville for rescuing this lost gem from two decades ago. It is available at https://storyvillerecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-duo-duke-ellington-100.

I purchased a download from the Bandcamp site listed above. Here the two perform "Caravan."

Steve Turre's Bright Musical Rainbow

Trombonist Steve Turre’s latest album, Rainbow People, is his third under the HighNote imprint and brings the veteran together with pianist Mulgrew Miller and saxophonist Kenny Garrett with whom he performed together with in Woody Shaw’s Band, along with longtime Dizzy Gillespie drummer, Ignacio Berroa (who played with Turre in the United Nation Orchestra); bassist Peter Washington and youngblood trumpeter, Sean Jones, who has toured with Turre. Percussionist Pedro Martinez, a guest here, has played in Turre’s Latin jazz Ensembles and in the Shell Choir.

Six of the nine performances are Turre originals, starting with the title track, a number that recalls some of the late Shaw’s marvelous compositions and opens with some warm trombone by the leader along with marvelous group playing throughout and a nice solo by Garrett. Turre’s tone is sublime, ranging from buttery smooth to a gruff blues bluster, and Turre’s rhythm section is wonderful throughout this date.

Turre is the sole horn on a tribute to Ray Charles, Brother Ray, with a bluesy flavor, followed the funky Groove Blues, with Garrett taking the first solo followed by Miller’s down-in-the alley piano. Midnight in Madrid, which also features trumpeter Jones, is a tone poem which conjures up thoughts of bullfighting and flamenco dancers. McCoy Tyner’s ballad, Search For Peace, may be a special highpoint in terms of not simply displaying Turre’s tone but his fertile musical mind.

Charlie Parker’s Segment, is crisply delivered bebop with crisp playing by him and Garrett. The closing Para el Comandante, is dedicated to Mario Rivera and is the only selection with all of the participants. This Latin jazz number sparkles with Garrett, Jones and Miller providing strong solos before Turre is heard on the shells.

Another excellent addition to Steve Turre’s body of recordings.

The review copy was likely provided by Jazz & Blues Report.

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Revives DC Area Tradition

A heads up for those in the Mid-Atlantic Region

For years Jazz was prominent in the Washington DC area during the middle of February. The East Coast Jazz Festival became an important event in the DC area musical calendar. With the passing of Ronnie Wells, The East Coast Jazz Festival’s founder, the festival which benefited jazz education, unfortunately ended. Now friends of the late jazz diva are reigniting the tradition with the First Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. The festival will take place the weekend of February 19-21, 2010, at the Hilton Executive Meeting Center in Rockville, MD (formerly the Doubletree Hotel), for three days of good vibes, great socializing, and opportunities to hear the music.

The Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival will be the flavor and style of that ECJF, and in honor of ECJF founder Ronnie Wells. It will share the strong commitment to jazz education and the exceptional artistry of DC metro region musicians and build upon the legacy of ECJF in presenting jazz to the region by perpetuating, nurturing and sustaining the jazz art form, engaging and teaching young musicians, and presenting top flight musicians.

There will be 8 programs over the course of the weekend and performers including the Jazz Academy Orchestra, The Paul Carr Quintet (with Terell Stafford, Mulgrew Miller, Michael Bowie, and Lewis Nash); a tribute to Ronnie Wells with Janine Carter, Bonnie Harris, Felicia Carter, and Delores King-Williams; The Andersen Twins; a saxophone summit with Bobby Watson, Bruce Williams, and Fred Foss; jazz video screenings by Bret Primack; and more. The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Feestival is presented by the Jazz Academy of Music. For more information check out the Festival web-site, http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org/.