New Takes on the classic Miles Davis session ‘Kind of Blue’ - a 21st Century shout out to a 20th Century masterpiece. Everybody is part of Kind of Blue in some way, because there probably isn't a note in jazz played since the record came out that hasn't been affected the album. It is the biggest selling jazz record of all time and is probably, 40 years after its initial release, holds a number one slot in every jazz loving country. Here, Donald Harrison who never shirks from a challenge looks Kind Of Blue straight in the eye. He takes some brilliant in the pocket players covering several generations, examines the original five tunes and throws in three new ones heavily in the style of Miles ('Kind Of New,' 'It Is' and 'What Next?'). This is 'Kind of Blue' done 'Kind of New.' It takes guts, but here it is, a 21st century shout out to a 20th Century masterpiece. Carl Allen and Javon Jackson are Donald's contemporaries - Javon like Donald, was a Jazz Messenger. Eric Reed and Vicente Archer, a bit younger, are from the first generation to be influenced by Donald and his peers. Kenny Barron of course, is a giant, more or less a contemporary of Miles. And last but no means least, Christian Scott (nephew of Donald) who is the trumpet man on this disc and was at the time of recording, only 17 years old. ~ amazon.co.uk.
Candid Productions, CCD 79768,
2002
Recorded 21st-22nd November,
2001 at Clinton Recording Studios, New York
Musicians:
Donald Harrison Jr. - Alto
Saxophone
Christian Scott - Trumpet,
Flugelhorn
Javon Jackson - Tenor
Saxophone
Kenny Barron - Piano (#3,5)
Eric Reed - Piano
(#1,2,4,6-8)
Vicente Archer - Bass
Carl Allen - Drums
Tracks:
1. Kind Of New {Donald
Harrison Jr.} (7:17)
2. Blue In Green {Bill Evans,
Miles Davis} (5:17)
3. So What {Miles Davis}
(8:39)
4. All Blues {Miles Davis}
(3:33)
5. Freddie Freeloader {Miles
Davis} (5:57)
6. It Is {Donald Harrison
Jr.} (5:26)
7. Flamenco Sketches {Miles
Davis} (5:22)
8. What Next? {Donald
Harrison Jr.} (6:34)
Total Time: 48:10