T. K. Blue - Latin Bird
Label: MOTEMA Catalog: MTACD57 Format: CD T.K. Blue composer, arranger, alto saxophone and flute Steve Turre shells and trombone on tracks 1, 2, and 4 Lewis Nash trap drums on all tracks except 5, 8, and 10 Theo Hill piano on all tracks except 10 Essiet Okon Essiet acoustic and electric bass on all tracks except 10 Willie Martinez trap drums on all tracks except 5, 8, and 10 Roland Guerrero congas and percussion on all tracks except 5, 8, and 101 Chi Chi 2 Si Si 3 Visa 4 Bluebird 5 Round Midnight 6 Barbados 7 Steeplechase 8 Moods of Parker 9 Donna Lee 10 He Flew Away Too Soon 11 Buzzy T.K. Blue has been well known for his work with Randy Weston, in addition to his own CDs. These live performances from two nights at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola are a tribute to Charlie Parker, emphasizing the Latin numbers composed and recorded by the alto saxophonist in the early '50s. Blue, who doubles on alto sax and flute, arranged all of the selections and is joined by trombonist Steve Turre, pianist Theo Hill, percussionists Willie Martinez, Roland Guerrero, and Lewis Nash, and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet. "Chi Chi" is a boisterous opener in a lively Afro-Cuban setting, while "Barbados" is recast as a calypso, with the band trading fours in a fun-filled performance. Parker's "Donna Lee" begins and ends with an infectious Brazilian rhythm, though the centerpiece is played as a jazz waltz. Blue takes a fresh approach to "Steeplechase" by playing it a bit more laid-back, giving it a funky backbeat with Essiet's electric bass. There's no Latin air to the saxophonist's dramatic interpretation of "'Round Midnight," which features Blue's powerful solo accompanied solely by Essiet, along with a luxurious solo by Hill. Blue's originals include the bluesy "Moods of Parker" (based in part upon "Parker's Mood") and the brilliant unaccompanied "He Flew Away Too Soon." Highly recommended. Price: $21.98 |