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Steve Heckman Quintet: Search for Peace
ByHeckman seems to have a ball winding his way through some classic material, unearthing some infrequently covered gems, and interacting with his band mates on this one. He kicks things off with a nod to Blue Mitchell, via the trumpeter's calypso-leaning "Fungii Mama," continues with a high-energy run through guitarist Grant Green's "Grantstand," and works a more reflective angle with pianist McCoy Tyner's "Search For Peace." Next, Heckman delivers a version of "Pannonica" that's devoid of quirky Monk-isms, a baritone saxophone-fronted, Brazilian-based version of Randy Weston's "Hi-Fly," and his own "Hangin' At Slugs"a blues-based tribute to the long-gone, rough-and-tumble New York club that gained notoriety after trumpeter Lee Morgan was shot there.
The last three numbers on the programSonny Clark's "Melody For C," the durable "Autumn In New York," and John Coltrane's rarely-covered "Spiral"all point in different directions. "Melody For C" is down-the-middle swing, "Autumn In New York" gives Heckman a chance to work the familiar corners of a classic song with his baritone saxophone, and "Spiral" gives the soloists a chance to snake their way through chromatic changes.
Heckman and company don't break any new ground with this one, but who says they have to? Steve Heckman seems to relish the opportunity to make music and explore material written by treasured jazz figures, and he sounds damn good doing it.
Track Listing
Fungii Mama; Grantstand; Search for Peace; Pannonica; Hi-Fly; Hangin' at Slug's; Melody for C; Autumn in New York; Spiral.
Personnel
Steve Heckman
saxophone, tenorSteve Heckman: tenor and baritone saxophones; Howard Alden: guitar; Matt Clark: Hammond B-3 organ; Marcus Shelby: bass; Akira Tana: drums.
Album information
Title: Search for Peace | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Jazzed Media
Comments
About Steve Heckman
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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