Sax and strings have a time honoured tradition in jazz. Starting with Bird in the late 1940s and followed by Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Johnny Hodges (with Lawrence Welk, no less) Sonny Stitt, Jan Garbarek, Gary Smulyan and countless others to date. Nor must one forget Stan Getz’s epical 1961 LP - Focus, with Eddie Sauter which significantly raised the bar for this setting.
Renowned Memphis born saxist, George Coleman, has joined this illustrious legacy in his latest offering with his long-time group aboard. Pianist Dave Hazeltine, bassist John Webber and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Recorded in 2022, it includes five classic but lesser played/known vehicles (Victor Young’s Stella by Starlight an exception) such as Mandel’s A Time for Love, Mancini’s Moment to Moment, Monk’s Ugly Beauty and Dedicated To You from the pen of Sammy Cahn. All of which are resplendent in bringing out the magnificence and eclectic dynamism of the brass saxophone and woody sonority of the chamber sized string ensemble at hand here.
Arranger, Bill Dobbins,
rises to the occasion with aplomb, especially with his orchestrally lush and
bold string introductions on Ugly Beauty
and A Time for Love. They are
followed by Coleman’s entry with a lyrical patience - understating the themes and giving a welcome contrast to what preceded it.
This autumnal career gem highlights Coleman’s reflective side with his deeply resonant tone coupled with a paucity of notes. Perfectly apt for fully celebrating these superior themes and harmonies. These kind of brilliant but daring choices are principal to Coleman’s music. Now in his now 90th year, may it continue onwards and upward! Frank Griffith
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