TEDDY EDWARDS - The Inimitable Teddy Edwards
Xanadu Master Edition 906087
Teddy Edwards ( tnr ) Duke Jordan ( pno ) Larry Ridley ( bass ) Freddie Waits ( drs )
Recorded New York City, 25 June 1976
Until recently there appeared to be a lack of recordings available by Teddy Edwards but within the space of a few months we have a choice of recordings to choose from. Only recently Xanadu released a quintet recording by him titled “Feelin’” which was reviewed in Jazz Views columns.
Even though he is usually considered a second division tenor player by many critics he still had much to say on his instrument and was good enough to hold down the chair in the Clifford Brown / Max Roach Quintet.
Of the six tracks two are Teddy Edwards originals, “Sunset Eyes” and “One on One” the other four tracks are from the standard repertoire.
The opening track “Sunset Eyes” was considered good enough to become part of the Clifford Brown / Max Roach Quintet play list. This is the opening track on the album and a playing time of ten minutes and begins with the articulate bass of Larry Ridley along with drummer Freddie Waits before pianist Duke Jordan enters followed by the leader Teddy Edwards. Edwards has a light toned sounds and tends to keep to the middle register of the instrument and does not stray into the honks and squeals of many players of the period. Duke Jordan’s solo is immaculate and he is an asset to any rhythm section.
“Mean To Me” is taken at a nice bouncy tempo and Teddy Edwards creates a joyful element to the proceedings.
2That Old Black Magic” is the most swinging track on the album and Teddy Edwards digs in and is at his most creative.
The only ballad on the album is “Imagination” and his playing is at his most lyrical and indicates he is comfortable at all tempos.
The final track “Stella By Starlight” with a long unaccompanied tenor intro played out of tempo before moving into a lightly swinging groove and the track comes to a close as it started.
This album is a welcome addition to the Teddy Edwards catalogue and is full of good music played in an style which has its roots in the period of the great tenor players and the rhythm section are as good as they get.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Xanadu Master Edition 906087
Teddy Edwards ( tnr ) Duke Jordan ( pno ) Larry Ridley ( bass ) Freddie Waits ( drs )
Recorded New York City, 25 June 1976
Until recently there appeared to be a lack of recordings available by Teddy Edwards but within the space of a few months we have a choice of recordings to choose from. Only recently Xanadu released a quintet recording by him titled “Feelin’” which was reviewed in Jazz Views columns.
Even though he is usually considered a second division tenor player by many critics he still had much to say on his instrument and was good enough to hold down the chair in the Clifford Brown / Max Roach Quintet.
Of the six tracks two are Teddy Edwards originals, “Sunset Eyes” and “One on One” the other four tracks are from the standard repertoire.
The opening track “Sunset Eyes” was considered good enough to become part of the Clifford Brown / Max Roach Quintet play list. This is the opening track on the album and a playing time of ten minutes and begins with the articulate bass of Larry Ridley along with drummer Freddie Waits before pianist Duke Jordan enters followed by the leader Teddy Edwards. Edwards has a light toned sounds and tends to keep to the middle register of the instrument and does not stray into the honks and squeals of many players of the period. Duke Jordan’s solo is immaculate and he is an asset to any rhythm section.
“Mean To Me” is taken at a nice bouncy tempo and Teddy Edwards creates a joyful element to the proceedings.
2That Old Black Magic” is the most swinging track on the album and Teddy Edwards digs in and is at his most creative.
The only ballad on the album is “Imagination” and his playing is at his most lyrical and indicates he is comfortable at all tempos.
The final track “Stella By Starlight” with a long unaccompanied tenor intro played out of tempo before moving into a lightly swinging groove and the track comes to a close as it started.
This album is a welcome addition to the Teddy Edwards catalogue and is full of good music played in an style which has its roots in the period of the great tenor players and the rhythm section are as good as they get.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
