Garzone

George Garzone - Among Friends (2009) {Stunt Records STUCD 09022}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 331 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 134 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 32 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2009 Stunt Records | STUCD 09022
Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Post Bop / Saxophone

Veteran tenor saxophonist George Garzone spent much of his life in jazz education, though he picked up his pace recording as a leader beginning in the mid-'90s. This European release issued by Stunt features Garzone with a masterful rhythm section including pianist Steve Kuhn, bassist Anders Christensen, and drummer Paul Motian. The ballad-oriented set primarily focuses on Garzone's lush originals, including the wistful "Farewell" and the mellow, Latin-tinged "Between Two Cities," a feature for his infectious soprano sax.

A powerful tenor saxophonist whose adventurous flights with his longtime band the Fringe have made him a legend in the Boston area, George Garzone has spent most of his life as a jazz educator. He began on the tenor when he was six, played in a family band, and attended music school in Boston. Garzone first formed his trio the Fringe (a group that in the mid-'90s also included founding member Bob Gullotti on drums and bassist John Lockwood) back in 1972. In addition, Garzone has guested in many situations, touring Europe with Jamaaladeen Tacuma and gigging with Danilo Perez, Joe Lovano, Jack DeJohnette, Rachel Z, and John Patitucci, among others.

Rachel Z, a talented young keyboardist, sticks to acoustic piano and varies the personnel and instrumentation from track-to-track on this interesting set. In addition to a woodwind section, such players as violinist Regina Carter, tenor saxophonist George Garzone, bassist Charnett Moffett and drummers Terri Lyne Carrington and Cindy Blackman are among the supporting cast. Rachel's ten originals (which are dedicated to various women ranging from her mother and a 17th-century painter to Billie Holiday and Joni Mitchell) cover a lot of moods with the emphasis on relaxed and thoughtful pieces. Although her own piano playing sometimes recalls Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea (along with touches of Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett), Rachel Z is gradually developing her own style.