JUDITH & DAVE O'HIGGINS
On a high from the album launch gig at the 606 club and the release of their collaborative His'N'Hers recording released on Ubuntu Music, husband and wife team, Dave and Judith O'Higgins pick their top ten favourite albums.
With two tenor saxophonists vying for pole position, to avoid a cutting contest we err on the side of diplomacy, and begin with ladies first.
Electing to pick five apiece, of her selection Judith says:
With two tenor saxophonists vying for pole position, to avoid a cutting contest we err on the side of diplomacy, and begin with ladies first.
Electing to pick five apiece, of her selection Judith says:
DEXTER GORDON - Go
Dexter Gordon has been my main role model since I started playing the saxophone as a teenager. This album from 1962 is part of a series of sessions released on Blue Note records, it features prime Dexter Gordon with a huge authoritative sound and a super swinging rhythm section.
OLIVER NELSON - The Blues and the Abstract Truth (1961)
The Blues and the Abstract Truth has a totally unique approach to blues.
I love Oliver Nelson as a composer/arranger and as a player, and have most of his recordings. His writing style had a massive impact on modern big band writing. I love his big band albums and have a big collection of his scores. It had always been my dream to do a large ensemble project around Oliver Nelson’s work, and we recorded Jörg Achim Keller´s contemporary update of The Blues And The Abstract Truth, expanded for big band, at the beautiful Abbey Road Studio in 2015.
Dexter Gordon has been my main role model since I started playing the saxophone as a teenager. This album from 1962 is part of a series of sessions released on Blue Note records, it features prime Dexter Gordon with a huge authoritative sound and a super swinging rhythm section.
OLIVER NELSON - The Blues and the Abstract Truth (1961)
The Blues and the Abstract Truth has a totally unique approach to blues.
I love Oliver Nelson as a composer/arranger and as a player, and have most of his recordings. His writing style had a massive impact on modern big band writing. I love his big band albums and have a big collection of his scores. It had always been my dream to do a large ensemble project around Oliver Nelson’s work, and we recorded Jörg Achim Keller´s contemporary update of The Blues And The Abstract Truth, expanded for big band, at the beautiful Abbey Road Studio in 2015.
BILL EVANS - Bill Evans Trio with Symphony Orchestra
This is a stunningly beautiful album. Perfect symbiosis of lush orchestral writing by Claus Ogerman and superb playing by Bill Evans, moves me to tears every time I listen to it.
NANCY WILSON & CANNONBALL ADDERLEY
This is such a classic album and the two leaders compliment each other perfectly. Nancy Wilson’s voice and phrasing are exquisite. They manage to share leader roles without any conflict of interest.
MILES DAVIS - Kind of Blue
Everything has been said about KOB – it’s especially hot as all the band members have got their mojo happening at 11 on this recording!
This is a stunningly beautiful album. Perfect symbiosis of lush orchestral writing by Claus Ogerman and superb playing by Bill Evans, moves me to tears every time I listen to it.
NANCY WILSON & CANNONBALL ADDERLEY
This is such a classic album and the two leaders compliment each other perfectly. Nancy Wilson’s voice and phrasing are exquisite. They manage to share leader roles without any conflict of interest.
MILES DAVIS - Kind of Blue
Everything has been said about KOB – it’s especially hot as all the band members have got their mojo happening at 11 on this recording!
Taking a slighty different perspective, Dave says of his selection, "It’s a given that every Parker recording, all Coltrane 1957-59 and Dexter 1960-65 would commandeer top spots in my favourite albums list! Not to mention Mobley, Stitt and Cannonball. Judith’s already pinched 3 anyway, so instead I’d like to mention some current things.
I try to make a point of checking everything out. In my lifetime the new revelations that stopped me in my tracks were Michael Brecker, Chris Potter and now Tucker Antell - each one raising the bar where Parker and Coltrane left off. Antell’s not well represented on record yet, but check the YouTube videos out!
These albums are good representations of 5 of my favourite tenor sax players on the scene now."
I try to make a point of checking everything out. In my lifetime the new revelations that stopped me in my tracks were Michael Brecker, Chris Potter and now Tucker Antell - each one raising the bar where Parker and Coltrane left off. Antell’s not well represented on record yet, but check the YouTube videos out!
These albums are good representations of 5 of my favourite tenor sax players on the scene now."
PHIL DWYER - One Take (vol 4)
(by Vito Rezza, Joey Defrancesco, Robi Botos, Phil Dwyer) - this was a studio jam arranged in the small hours as it was the only time all the musicians were free.
The spontaneity and interplay are regal and Canadian Phil Dwyer is the master of solo development. The only downside is the drums are recorded too “studio rock” style for my taste.
MAX IONATA - Coffee Time
Italian Max Ionata has the most satisfyingly melodic phrasing. Fabrizio Bosso on trumpet is on great form here, too. It’s a tasty selection of memorable themes that are also good blowing sequences.
WALT WEISKOPF - Song for my Mother
For my money, Walt Weiskopf makes the most satisfying contemporary jazz albums today. The compositions and arrangements are beautiful. He has his own distinctive take on late 50s Trane.
(by Vito Rezza, Joey Defrancesco, Robi Botos, Phil Dwyer) - this was a studio jam arranged in the small hours as it was the only time all the musicians were free.
The spontaneity and interplay are regal and Canadian Phil Dwyer is the master of solo development. The only downside is the drums are recorded too “studio rock” style for my taste.
MAX IONATA - Coffee Time
Italian Max Ionata has the most satisfyingly melodic phrasing. Fabrizio Bosso on trumpet is on great form here, too. It’s a tasty selection of memorable themes that are also good blowing sequences.
WALT WEISKOPF - Song for my Mother
For my money, Walt Weiskopf makes the most satisfying contemporary jazz albums today. The compositions and arrangements are beautiful. He has his own distinctive take on late 50s Trane.
FERDINAND POVEL - Ferdinand Povel & Pete Christlieb - Live at the Amsterdam Bimhuis
I’m going to transcribe all of Dutchman Ferdinand Povel's solos from this album. He kills it!
ERIC ALEAXNDER - Second Impression
Probably another good candidate for transcribing all the sax solos from! Eric is a great example of someone who's thoroughly assimilated the tradition, in his case first hand from Harold Mabern and George Coleman, and then developed his own thing. He's always working on a new system of some sort, and you can hear him taking some great harmonic and melodic journeys on this recording.
For more information about Judith & Dave O'Higgins visit www.judithohiggins.com & www.daveohiggins.com
I’m going to transcribe all of Dutchman Ferdinand Povel's solos from this album. He kills it!
ERIC ALEAXNDER - Second Impression
Probably another good candidate for transcribing all the sax solos from! Eric is a great example of someone who's thoroughly assimilated the tradition, in his case first hand from Harold Mabern and George Coleman, and then developed his own thing. He's always working on a new system of some sort, and you can hear him taking some great harmonic and melodic journeys on this recording.
For more information about Judith & Dave O'Higgins visit www.judithohiggins.com & www.daveohiggins.com
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