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Gary Grant: Don't Hold Your Breath
ByWithin this pantheon of performing precision sits Gary Grantvaunted lead player, celebrated jazz artist, valued section mate, in-demand composer, arranger and esteemed producer. With the possible exception of Quincy Jones, no-one in L.A. generates more production and playing respect than "Double G."
Don't Hold Your Breath demonstrates the magic that can result when one doesn't. When Grant sends that electric carbon dioxide though his horn, the result is an impeccably performed, magnificently produced CD. Assembled here are some of L.A.'s greatest players, composers and arrangerstestimony to Grant's L.A. rep that allows him to gather these finest of the fineand they're obviously having a ball, performing with creative brilliance.
Funk-rock and smooth synth-sound grooves dominate, each played with a meticulous precision that still stimulates; nothing comes across as sterile, overworked or disingenuous. The opening "Tres Gatos Profundos" is a perfect example of what Grant and his "heavy cats" are capable, pushing the rhythmic and technical sound barrier, and burning over drummer Johnny Friday's Latin fire here, and throughout the entire session.
Grant shows that he can stretch out jazz-wise ("Thank You, Michael") and play beautifully and with significant emotion on "I Still Hear You" and "Live for the Day," two stellar ballads featuring Grant's rich, involving tone and marvelous nuanced touch to melody and phrase. His lead work throughout the session redefines accuracy, drive and swing; his overdubbed "section work" on a number of cuts furthers his rep as a player's player.
The arrangements, particularly "Ireland," "Native American," and "One Peace," are outstanding and the production values on these selections and the entire recording are superb.
The rhythm section, led predominantly by drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, bolsters the set. Colaiuta is simply superb, his time impeccable, and his ability to drive the group alongnever needed, by the wayis admirable. His nuanced work on the beautiful slower cuts makes them shine. Saxophonist Dan Higgins plays with heavy chopsand great choicewhen he solos, as does keyboardist Wally Minko.
It is so wonderfully refreshing to have Grant step out in the sunlight and let it all fly and glow. Hopefully he and other studio players will come up for air occasionally, and release more terrific efforts like Don't Hold Your Breath.
Track Listing
Tres Gatos Profundos; Thank You, Michael, Set It Straight, I Still Hear You, Ireland, American Native, Skunkin,' Live for the Day, GG Song, Skyrise, Subatomic, One Peace.
Personnel
Gary Grant
trumpetGary Grant: trumpet, flugelhorn piccolo trumpet; Wayne Bergeron: trumpet (1); Dan Higgins: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, bass clarinet (10), flutes (10), penny whistle (5); guitars (9), piano, keyboards (8); Fender Rhodes (3); Andy Martin: trombone (1); Les Benedict: trombone (6); Bill Reichenbach: trombone: (9. 11), bass trombone (6); Ken Wiley: french horn (4); Peter Kent: strings (4); Ralph Morrison: strings (8); Wally Minko: piano, keyboards, synch bass, percussion programming (1); Aaron Zigman: piano, synch bass (11); Dustin Higgins: guitars (3, 4, 5, 7); Bob Boykin: guitar (9); Tim Pierce: guitar (11); Trey Henry: acoustic bass (2); Jimmy Earl: bass (3); Ken Wild: acoustic C bass (4) bass (8); Brian Bromberg: bass (9); Johnny Friday: drums (1); Vinnie Colauita: drums (2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9); John Robinson: drums (5); Ray Brinker: drums (11); Phil Ailing: chinese ethnic (11).
Album information
Title: Don't Hold Your Breath | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Grant Us This Day Publishing
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