Ernie Krivda (ten); Lafayette Carthon (pno); Marion Hayden (bs); Renell Gonsalves (dms).
(Review by Lance).
Described as "A heartfelt love letter to his native city [Cleveland, Ohio]," Requiem for a Jazz Lady is, although basically a happy record showing off Krivda's big sound; Herschel Evans, Ike Quebec, Guy Lafitte just some of the names that are triggered off by his full, round, tone, it is also steeped in tragedy. The title track reflects on the brutal murder in 1964 of 16 year old Beverly Jarosz. A crime still unsolved but recently re-opened by a cold case division.* This was at a time when Krivda was making his way around the Cleveland jazz scene, gradually making a name in his home town, and the music, apart from Requiem, is inspired by happier memories of those days. It's the kind of tenor we rarely hear now apart from say Harry Allen and Scott Hamilton (and, of course, our own Steve Andrews).
Ernie Krivda is on that elevated level.
Carthon is the perfect foil, his solos matching the leader's with Hayden and Gonsalves rock solid throughout.
All but one of the compositions are Krivda's, Billy Reid's I'll Close my Eyes being the exception.
A beautiful mixture of joy and sorrow.
Requiem for a Jazz Lady is released by Capri Records on Nov. 17.
Lance.
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