This jaunt through the next records in my collection is a funny mix, from ’70s Roy Haynes to ’60s Joe Henderson, with a heavy dose of Fletcher Henderson in the middle and a fascinating sideways jaunt to the world of Julius Hemphil.
Roy Haynes – Thank You Thank You – This is an interesting mix, perhaps eclectic mix, of tunes and styles. The title track, “Thank You Thank You” is a fusion-y, almost CTI-ish tune with some slick John Klemmer and tons of reverb. Ron Carter sounds solid as ever on that track. Then, Cecil McBee takes over for the rest of the record – obvious why I bought this one, isn’t it? Cecil is so fleet fingered on this record! Man, it’s amazing what he can do. The tune “Bullfight” is a pretty ’70s fusion tune. Reminds me of the Maynard Ferguson record “Conquistador” and the flamenco-inspired fusion recordings of Chick Corea. My one wish is to have heard more from Stanley Cowell, who is on two tracks and is blazing whenever he gets a chance to show his stuff. George Cables, of course, sounds amazing.
Julius Hemphill – Flat Out Jump Suite – Ok, so Hemphill rocks, I totally get that, but honestly, I never really got into him. I have always assumed it’s my fault and that one day I’ll get it. There are other cats from the time period and style, I suppose, that I love, including the Art Ensemble of Chicago, and especially Henry Threadgill. But Hemphill is one of those cats who is revered and loved and so on, and I hope to one day have the whatever to dig him as much as I should. This record is a nice collection of improvisations, and features Olu Dara, whose playing I really do love (check him with Cecil McBee!). Ok, ok, “Body” is definitely a transcribable, super hip, “greasy” sort of tune. Dig it.
Julius Hemphill Big Band – Ok, strike that. This album rocks and I totally connect with it. Yes, it is probably the most important recorded influence on the Jazz Composers Alliance Orchestra, a group I played with for 8 years and recorded several albums with. And with that, I suppose it stands to reason that, having been inside music so much like this for nearly a decade, I would totally get it. Great, great, great, great record. Frank Lacy, Bill Frisell, Jerome Harris, John Stubblefield, and a bunch of other amazing cats, including Marty Ehrlich, with whom I had one (amazing) lesson.
Fletcher Henderson
Black and White Series, Vol. 73/Vol. 2 (1927-1934) – The most striking thing on this record, aside from how swingin’ the band is, and how slick the arrangements are, is how blazing Coleman Hawkins sounds. Man, he was the undisputed Eddie Van Halen of his time! On “Saint Louis Shuffle,” he shreds!
A Study in Frustration – This 4-LP set captures some of Henderson’s greatest recordings, and has an all-star cast of the cats you wanna hear: Hawk, Satchmo (I never liked that name – how about Louis instead – and even then, Lou-is, not Louie, since that’s what he called himself), J.C. Higgenbotham, John Kirby, Rex Stewart, and on and on. Great set of early jazz, featuring not only Henderson awesomeness, but even arrangements like “Christopher Columbus,” which would go on to define the King of Swing – Benny Goodman’s – sound. Buster Bailey’s solo on “Feelin’ Good” is epic!
Big Reunion – This hang/session/jam of Fletcher Henderson alumni is a super fun, swingin’ date with amazing spirit and fantastic playing. As always, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Rex Stewart (musical director of the date), J.C. Higgenbotham stand out, but man, I love Hilton Henderson’s alto solo on “Honeysuckle Rose”! A pleasure to hang out and listen to this record… In addition to Henderson classics, there is a great arrangement of “‘Round About Midnight,” by the great “modernist” Thelonious Monk.
Joe Henderson
The Kicker – This is a really refreshing change of pace. Don’t get me wrong, I love Fletcher Henderson, and especially the looser, jam session, swing era of “The Big Reunion,” but this, more modern sound is really music to my ears. With Ron Carter, Kenny Baron and Louis Hayes on this record, you know it’s great. Grachan Moncur on trombone and [“Introducing!] Mike Lawrence on trumpet round out the cast. Super, uper hip.