Bennie Wallace

It's hard to believe that the saxophone once took a back seat to the trumpet and the cornet as a jazz instrument, but in fact, that was very much the case in the 1890s, 1900s, and 1910s. The rise of Coleman "Bean" Hawkins in the '20s, however, changed that; thanks to the popularity and visibility that Hawkins enjoyed as the tenor star of Fletcher Henderson's orchestra, saxophonists became incredibly prominent in jazz - and any jazz musician who is playing a saxophone today (be it tenor, alto, soprano, baritone, or bass) owes him a huge debt of gratitude. Bennie Wallace is well aware of that debt, which is why the tenor man salutes him with such enthusiasm on Disorder at the Border: The Music of Coleman Hawkins. Recorded live at the Berlin JazzFest in Germany on November 6, 2004, this 65-minute CD celebrates what would have been Hawkins' 100th birthday…

Bennie Wallace - Bordertown (1987) {Blue Note CDP 7 48014-2}
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© 1988 Blue Note / EMI-Manhattan Records | CDP 7 48014-2
Jazz / Post Bop / Tenor Saxophone

On a strong follow-up to his classic Twilight Time, tenor-saxophonist Bennie Wallace continues in the same New Orleans r&bish vein. The music includes funky originals and a few traditional numbers ("Stormy Weather" and "Carolina Moon") and features Wallace with trombonist Ray Anderson (on four of the eight tunes), pianist Dr. John, guitarist John Scofield, bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Herlin Riley; guests include guitarist Mitch Watkins on two numbers. Although not quite reaching the heights of the earlier set, there is plenty of spirit displayed on this unusual and easily recommended set.

Bennie Wallace - Mystic Bridge (1982) {Enja ENJ-2108 2 rel 2006}
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© 1982, 2006 Enja records | ENJ-2108 2
Jazz / Post Bop / Saxophone

Tenorist Bennie Wallace has a rock-solid group here – a quartet that features pianist Chick Corea hitting some of his more hard-edged acoustic modes – alongside the excellent bassist Eddie Gomez and Charles Mingus' drummer Dannie Richmond! The lineup is almost unusual, but works together wonderfully – with that strong sense of surprise that really can make a jazz album memorable – especially one like this, which might be initially understated in terms of appearance! Bennie's great in the setting – blowing with a sharper edge than on some other sets, and most tracks are nice and long too.

Mose Allison - Ever Since The World Ended (1987) {Blue Note CDP 7 48015 2}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 275 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 109 Mb
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© 1987 Blue Note | CDP 7 48015 2
Jazz / Jazz Blues / Piano / Vocal Jazz

Mose Allison, who was a musical institution long before 1987, had not run out of creative juices after 30 years of major league performances. This set finds him introducing such ironically truthful songs as "Ever Since The World Ended," "Top Forty," "I Looked In The Mirror" and "What's Your Movie." The many guest artists (including altoist Arthur Blythe, tenor-saxophonist Bennie Wallace, Bob Malach on both alto and tenor and guitarist Kenny Burrell) are unnecessary frivolities but Allison's trio (with bassist Dennis Irwin and drummer Tom Whaley) is tight and ably backs the unique singer-pianist.