Lew Tabackin

While pianist-arranger-composer Toshiko Akiyoshi headed a fine big band in New York after moving cross-country in 1982, the orchestra that she led in Los Angeles in the 1970s was arguably her greatest accomplishment. The three-CD Mosaic Select set Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band collects all of the music originally released on the RCA albums Kogun, Long Yellow Road, Tales of a Courtesan, Insights, and March of the Tadpoles. With such major players as Akiyoshi’s husband Lew Tabackin on tenor and flute, trumpeters Bobby Shew and Don Rader, trombonist Britt Woodman and altoist Gary Foster among the many soloists in the all-star band, the orchestra could swing as hard as any of its competitors. In addition to the more boppish pieces, Akiyoshi often wrote works that displayed her Japanese heritage, utilizing Eastern harmonies and instruments along with her husband’s flute. Many of the highpoints of her career are on this perfectly conceived Mosaic release.

The great tenor saxophonist and flutist Lew Tabackin is joined by pianist Hank Jones, bassist Dave Holland, and drummer Victor Lewis on this well-rounded program. The Concord CD has many highlights, including "Hot House," Duke Ellington's "Serenade to Sweden," Tabackin's "A Bit Byas'd," and "You Leave Me Breathless"; the leader's tenor in particular is in top form. Highly recommended to fans of straight-ahead jazz, this release gives one a strong sampling of Lew Tabackin's talents.

Lew Tabackin - What A Little Moonlight Can Do (1994) {Concord Jazz CCD-4617}
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© 1994 Concord Jazz | CCD-4617
Jazz / Post Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone / Flute

The deep, smooth tenor sax tones of Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins are clearly the models that Lew Tabackin patterns his playing after on this album featuring his quartet. The sax giants' influence can clearly be seen on "What a Little Moonlight Can Do," on which Tabackin plays above the melody, concluding with Webster's patented fluttering, whispering tone. Tabackin's playing throughout this session, irrespective of the tempo, is contemplative, exploring every nook and cranny, every nuance, every subtlety of the tune.

The late Conrad Silvert had a rare opportunity to achieve the jazz critic's dream by organizing a concert featuring many of his favorite jazz musicians in unusual combinations. This double LP matches together the pianos of Denny Zeitlin and Herbie Hancock on one fairly free performance, has duets featuring pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi with flutist Lew Tabackin and pianist Herbie Hancock with either vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson or Wayne Shorter on tenor, and four numbers ("Sister Cheryl," "Footprints," "Silence" and "Hesitation") with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis (who was then 20), Shorter, Hancock, bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Tony Williams. The results are consistently inspired and often memorable.

Howard Alden - Take Your Pick (1997) {Concord Jazz CCD-4743-2}
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© 1997 Concord Jazz | CCD-4743-2
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Guitar

Although best-known for his work in mainstream swing settings, guitarist Howard Alden has long been interested in later periods of jazz. On this superior outing, he doubles on seven-string acoustic and electric guitars (which allow him to add basslines). Lew Tabackin is on four of the ten numbers (three on tenor, one on flute) and pianist Renee Rosnes appears on six songs (including a duet with Alden on "Warm Valley"), while bassist Michael Moore and drummer Bill Goodwin are on seven. Alden takes "My Funny Valentine" and "After All" as unaccompanied solos but it is his meetings with Tabackin, particularly on exciting versions of two complex Herbie Nichols songs ("House Party Starting" and "The Gig") that are most notable. Recommended.

Duke Pearson - Now Hear This (1968) {Blue Note Japan SHM-CD TYCJ-81064 rel 2014} (24-192 remaster)
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© 1968, 2014 Universal Japan / Blue Note | BN 75th The Masterworks | TYCJ-81064
Jazz / Hard Bop / Progressive Jazz / Piano

Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player) and the latest 24bit 192kHz remastering. Duke Pearson returned to a big band setting for Now Hear This!, once again proving his agility and inventiveness as an arranger and leader. Working with a larger band than before – the total number of musicians weighs in at 17 – Pearson nevertheless keeps things clean and uncluttered. His compositions, as well as the songs he covers, cover a broad range of emotions, styles, and tonal colors, with lush ballads taking the center stage. Even if much of this music is beautiful, Pearson's arrangements take chances and are unconventional, which means it rewards close listening as well.