Javon Jackson - Sugar Hill: The Music Of Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn (2007) [Official Digital Download 24-bit/96kHz]

The acclaimed New York saxophonist Javon Jackson leads a celebration of the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, whose collaboration began in 1938 and continued until Strayhorn's death in 1967. Jackson is joined for this session by arranger/pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Paul Gill and drummer Tony Reedus. Together they perform well-known compositions such as "Caravan", "Chelsea Bridge", and "Lotus Blossom", as well as tunes that are not usually played by quartets such as "In My Solitude". The two soloists, Jackson and Hazeltine explore the bluesier and moodier side of Ellington's music as well as ballads like "Warm Valley" and slightly more up-tempo tunes like "In a Sentimental Mood".

This is a tight little quartet date led by saxophonist Javon Jackson, celebrating the music of the Duke. His co-conspirators on the session are arranger/pianist David Hazeltine, drummer Tony Reedus, and bassist Paul Gill. The material ranges from the obvious like "Caravan," "Chelsea Bridge," and "Lotus Blossom," to selections usually not played by quartets such as "In My Solitude." The emphasis here is on the bluesier and moodier side of Ellington's music, which works beautifully. The colors and textures a larger orchestra display may be richer, but in the quartet setting they can go deeper. It puts additional pressure on the individual players, but Jackson and Hazeltine as front line soloists are more than up to the challenge. The greatest proof of this lies in the ballads like "Warm Valley," and in the more lithe and slightly more up-tempo tunes like "In a Sentimental Mood." This is a fine session, and utterly lyrically beautiful all around.

Tracklist:

01 - Caravan
02 - Warm Valley
03 - In My Solitude
04 - Prelude To A Kiss
05 - Things Ain't What They Used To Be
06 - Chelsea Bridge
07 - In A Mellow Tone
08 - In A Sentimental Mood
09 - Lotus Blossom

Produced by David Chesky. Engineered by Nicholas Prout.
Recorded on May 9, 2007 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, NYC.

Musicians:
Javon Jackson - tenor saxophone
David Hazeltine - piano
Paul Gill - bass
Tony Reedus - drums


Thanks to the Original customer!