This post is a tribute to Ted
Curson who passed away early this month. RIP
Jubilant Power gives
listeners an excellent sampling of the musical talents of Ted Curson. A
versatile trumpeter who can play from straight ahead bop to free improvisations
and anything in between, Ted Curson originally found some fame working with
Charles Mingues in 1960. Jubilant Power, one of his finest recordings, was made
16 years later and has some of the type of inside/outside music that Curson
made with Mingus. Curson is joined in a top-knotch sextet by baritonist Nick
Brignola, altoist Chris Woods and either Andy LaVerne or Jim McNeely on piano
and the result is adventurous hard-swinging music that clearly inspired all of
the musicians. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG.
Slashing, dynamite exchanges,
and an intense approach make this the Curson to grab. ~ Ron Wynn, AMG.
Inner City, IC 1017, 1976
Side A recorded 16th October,
1976 Live at Ethical Society in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Side B recorded 17th October,
1976 at Downtown Sound, New York City
Track Listing:
A1. Reava's Waltz {Ted
Curson} (11:54)
A2. Ted's Tempo {Ted Curson}
(8:54)
B1. Song Of The Lonely One
[aka Ode To Booker Ervin] {Ted Curson} (7:33)
B2. Airi's Tune {Ted Curson}
(6:15)
B3. Searching For The Blues
{Ted Curson} (6:35)
B4. Marjo {Ted Curson} (5:41)
Personnel:
Ted Curson - Trumpet, Piccolo
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Cowbell
Chris Woods - Flute, Alto
Saxophone
Nick Brignola - Saxcello,
Baritone Saxophone
Andy LaVerne - Piano (Side A)
Jim McNeely - Piano (Side B)
David Friesen - Bass
Steve McCall - Drums (Side A)
Bob Merigliano - Drums (Side
B)
Sam Jacobs - Conga
Ted Curson's Jubilant Power shows the modern jazz trumpeter in prime
condition, very influenced by a stint with Charles Mingus, and exhorting his
large ensemble to play music indicative of the title. This recording combines
two live concert sessions from autumn of 1976 done on consecutive nights, the
first in his native Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square, and the second at
Downtown Sound in New York City. Curson assembled a dynamic and exuberant band
with the baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola and saxophonist/flutist Chris
Woods, bassist David Friesen, conga player Sam Jacobs, an exchange of pianists
and drummers for each night, and different compositions. Side A has two tunes from
the Philly sessions with AACM drumkit juggernaut Steve McCall and pianist Andy
LaVerne in tow, making for a presence that gives the band a forceful persona.
The hot free bop "Reava's Waltz" showcases Curson's post Lee
Morgan/Freddie Hubbard sound with an edge perfectly, especially during his
solid solo as the horns chime in on occasion. "Ted's Tempo" is a
modal to hard bop scorcher, fluent, risky, but built like a brick wall. The
four tracks from Side B in N.Y.C. have Jim McNeely on the 88s and Bob Merigliano
playing drums, offering a generally softer focus. The straight ballad
"Marjo" borrows from "Sophisticated Lady," while the
midtempo "Song of the Lonely" has Friesen's emotionally drenched bass
saturating the quote-riddled trumpeter, who most specifically channels the
changes of "What's New?." The upbeat numbers include a popping Latin
chart "Airi's Tune" with a rich horn accord, while the definitive
"Searchin' the Blues" is straight out of the Mingus bag with its delightfully
entertaining, spontaneous, quirky speed-ups and settled slow-downs in the
melody. Because Ted Curson produced far too few recordings, and because the
band is excellent, this has to rank as one of his best efforts, his modern jazz
still sounding vital and fresh. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Allmusic.com.
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