MARK MASTERS ENSEMBLE - Night Talk - the Alec Wilder Songbook (featuring Gary Smulyan)
Capri Records Ltd 74162-2
Gary Smulyan-Baritone Sax, Bob Summers-Trumpet,Don Shelton Alto Sax and Flute, Jerry Pinter- Tenor and Soprano Sax, Dave Woodley-Trombone, Ed Czach-Piano, Putter Smith-Bass, Kendall Kay-Drums.
Recorded 2/12/18 Glendale, CA, USA
Alec Wilder is probably not the first name that springs to mind when 'The Great American Songbook' is mentioned, in fact many tunes on this Cd were unknown to this reviewer, but ones in other versions I shall be seeking out. Most of the performers here are unknown to me and perhaps they are session men or ones who play regularly together in California, I apologise if I do them an injustice.
The CD gives us us 9 tracks with a reasonably generous 54 minutes running time. It is a pleasant enough CD, although there is a hit of sameness about all the tracks understandably as the featured soloist, Gary Smulyan confines himself to baritone sax. On first hearing I was reminded of the sound of Miles Davis' masterpiece 'Birth Of The Cool' and perhaps this is understandable with a similar line up.
All in all, as I say a pleasant enough CD and if you like smooth late night jazz played by, to my ears, very competent musicians and are keen to explore the Alec Wilder Songbook, then go for it.
Review by Clive Fleckner
Capri Records Ltd 74162-2
Gary Smulyan-Baritone Sax, Bob Summers-Trumpet,Don Shelton Alto Sax and Flute, Jerry Pinter- Tenor and Soprano Sax, Dave Woodley-Trombone, Ed Czach-Piano, Putter Smith-Bass, Kendall Kay-Drums.
Recorded 2/12/18 Glendale, CA, USA
Alec Wilder is probably not the first name that springs to mind when 'The Great American Songbook' is mentioned, in fact many tunes on this Cd were unknown to this reviewer, but ones in other versions I shall be seeking out. Most of the performers here are unknown to me and perhaps they are session men or ones who play regularly together in California, I apologise if I do them an injustice.
The CD gives us us 9 tracks with a reasonably generous 54 minutes running time. It is a pleasant enough CD, although there is a hit of sameness about all the tracks understandably as the featured soloist, Gary Smulyan confines himself to baritone sax. On first hearing I was reminded of the sound of Miles Davis' masterpiece 'Birth Of The Cool' and perhaps this is understandable with a similar line up.
All in all, as I say a pleasant enough CD and if you like smooth late night jazz played by, to my ears, very competent musicians and are keen to explore the Alec Wilder Songbook, then go for it.
Review by Clive Fleckner
