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Gift Guide
Published: Nov 28, 2004
Many moods of jazz
By OWEN CORDLE, Correspondent
Branford Marsalis, "Coltrane's A Love Supreme Live
in Amsterdam" (Marsalis Music). Here's a chance to see tenor
saxophonist Branford Marsalis on DVD performing John Coltrane's
revered "A Love Supreme" suite. It's an audacious step
for the famous Durham resident, one that pays worthy homage in
terms of technique, spirit and purpose. The package also contains
generous DVD interview footage and a CD of the concert.
Charlie Musselwhite, "Sanctuary" (Realworld).
The Mississippi bluesman's "Sanctuary" is a dark place
where singing and playing harmonica and guitar reflective of the
starkness and darkness might offer hope. A superbly produced deep
blues album.
Susan Reeves, "Alive!"
(Bent 4 Music). Local jazz singer with local duo at local jazz
club -- another example of Triangle talent that transcends the
backwater connotation of "local." Reeves studied under
Mary Lou Williams and Paul Jeffrey at Duke. She sings Clifford
Brown's challenging "Joy Spring," reason enough to commend
this CD.
Ted Rosenthal-Bob Brookmeyer, "One
Night in Vermont" (Planet Arts). Does anyone improvise more
lyrically than valve trombonist Brookmeyer? He and pianist Rosenthal
spread mood, melody and warmth throughout this impromptu get-together,
one of the best jazz albums of the year.
Clark Terry with Jeff Lindberg and the
Chicago Jazz Orchestra, "Porgy & Bess" (A440
Music Group). Miles Davis and Gil Evans recorded the critically
accepted classic jazz version of "Porgy & Bess"
in 1958. The affable Terry, Davis' mentor, waited until he was
in his early 80s to have a go at it -- with the original Evans
arrangements. Even the hard-nosed, unsmiling Davis would have
a soft spot for Terry's charming interpretation and unwavering
chops.
"Phil Woods and Carl Saunders
Play Henry Mancini" (Jazzed Media). The devious musical minds
of alto saxophonist Woods and trumpeter Saunders concoct improvisations
that'll make you laugh out loud at their brilliance. This is a
fun session that swings so hard it could levitate an elephant.
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