The late Ira Sullivan (he died in 2020 aged 89) was a jazz legend not always given the recognition he deserved. Equally outstanding on both sax and trumpet, performing with such luminaries as Charlie Parker, Art Blakey and Roland Kirk and mentoring future greats including Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius he somehow slipped off a lot of people's radar.
Nevertheless, he was revered by the cognoscenti and justifiably so.
His son, Brev Sullivan, fortunately ensures that his father's legacy is not forgotten with this tribute album. Brev is himself an excellent guitarist as is his fellow lead guitarist Quintero. To be honest, I'm not sure which guitarist is which but, despite, or possibly because of, their differing styles, they both contribute effectively. Horta is superb on both keyboard and soprano sax whilst Abanto is an absolute powerhouse behind the kit. He certainly provides the kicks on the uptempo Cole Porter classic that opens the album.
The soprano is particularly frantic on Nineveh which Sullivan describes as being "almost like a rock song written by John Coltrane"!
Things cool down with the guitars swinging merrily away on Tadd Dameron's Our Delight.
Villa Lobos' Little Train of Caipira opens with a chorus of classical guitar before picking up speed over a Latin rhythm. Bass and sax also keep the wheels turning.
Brev's Espresso Bueno continues with another, faster, Latin groove before signing off with Amazing Grace which was how Ira always finished his live performances.
An emotional end to a heartfelt tribute - Lance
Available Feb. 25 on Blue Road Records.
I Get a Kick Out of You; Monday's Dance; Circumstantial; Multimedia; Icarus; Nineveh; Our Delight; Little Train of Caipira; Espresso Bueno; Amazing Grace.
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