TRUDY KERR - Take Five: The Music of Paul Desmond
Jazzizit JITCD1880
Trudy Kerr (vocals); Allison Neale (alto saxophone); Dominic Ashworth (guitar); Tom Cawley (piano & rhodes); Geoff Gascoyne (double bass); Sebastiaan de kKom (drums)
Recorded June 2018
In complete contrast to The House, also reviewed this month, Take Five finds Trudy back in the more familiar standards format, albeit focussing on the talents of the one and only Paul Desmond. As one comes to expect from Ms Kerr this is a well thought out presented programme that captures the essesnce of Desmond's importance without being overwhelmed by it. Indeed the sextet heard here acquit themsleves with aplomb aided by some fine arrangements, and of course by Trudy's wonderful lyrics and vocalese.
In paying tribute to one of the greatest jazz soloists it is is inevitable that the iconic and classic 'Take Five' by Desmond and Brubeck is featured, and equally refreshing to hear how Trudy handles such a challenge. All too easy to over cook this one, but I'm pleased to say that any pitfalls are successfully negotiated, and the star of this performance is none other than also saxophonist, Allison Neale.
The perfect choice of saxophonist for this gig, Neale shows that she has studied Desmond well, but there the indebtedness ends as she take the fluidity of phrasing and the light tone of the master, adding a modern and contemporary edge to her sound. This is heard to fine effect on 'Feeling Breathless' (aka 'Bluette') by Brubeck) in her solo and the way she accompanies the vocalist. And talking of the vocalist, Trudy gets in some sparkling vocalese on 'Nobody Knew' (aka 'Bossa Antigua'), and the sensitivity in which she transforms Desmnd's 'Late Lament' into 'Too Young' with her own lyrics is quietly smouldering.
Throughout the sextet play superbly. The rhythm section push and pull in all the right places without ever being pushy, and coupled with the startling empathy between Kerr and Neale this makes this recording something special At present, the album is only available at gigs, so be sure to pop along and grab your copy while you can.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Jazzizit JITCD1880
Trudy Kerr (vocals); Allison Neale (alto saxophone); Dominic Ashworth (guitar); Tom Cawley (piano & rhodes); Geoff Gascoyne (double bass); Sebastiaan de kKom (drums)
Recorded June 2018
In complete contrast to The House, also reviewed this month, Take Five finds Trudy back in the more familiar standards format, albeit focussing on the talents of the one and only Paul Desmond. As one comes to expect from Ms Kerr this is a well thought out presented programme that captures the essesnce of Desmond's importance without being overwhelmed by it. Indeed the sextet heard here acquit themsleves with aplomb aided by some fine arrangements, and of course by Trudy's wonderful lyrics and vocalese.
In paying tribute to one of the greatest jazz soloists it is is inevitable that the iconic and classic 'Take Five' by Desmond and Brubeck is featured, and equally refreshing to hear how Trudy handles such a challenge. All too easy to over cook this one, but I'm pleased to say that any pitfalls are successfully negotiated, and the star of this performance is none other than also saxophonist, Allison Neale.
The perfect choice of saxophonist for this gig, Neale shows that she has studied Desmond well, but there the indebtedness ends as she take the fluidity of phrasing and the light tone of the master, adding a modern and contemporary edge to her sound. This is heard to fine effect on 'Feeling Breathless' (aka 'Bluette') by Brubeck) in her solo and the way she accompanies the vocalist. And talking of the vocalist, Trudy gets in some sparkling vocalese on 'Nobody Knew' (aka 'Bossa Antigua'), and the sensitivity in which she transforms Desmnd's 'Late Lament' into 'Too Young' with her own lyrics is quietly smouldering.
Throughout the sextet play superbly. The rhythm section push and pull in all the right places without ever being pushy, and coupled with the startling empathy between Kerr and Neale this makes this recording something special At present, the album is only available at gigs, so be sure to pop along and grab your copy while you can.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
