Jeff Hackworth - Where The Blue Begins (2008)

Jeff Hackworth plays with a lot of intensity and sticks with what makes jazz a great art form. His sound is not affected and ideas abound in his presentation. After a piano intro Hackworth comes strutting in on "Just A Sittin' And A Rockin" and his message is clear and concise, just get it from the soul and go from there. John Basili adds his comments on the guitar with grace and execution. "Just One More Chance" is my hue and cry and Jeff Hackworth expresses the feeling of this tune with aplomb and finesse. "Stranger In Paradise" is done at racehorse tempo and Hackworth's fiery solo shows that he is equally at home on the speedway or on swing street. "One Mint Julip" is a tune that has been around for time immemorial and this ensemble romps through it like they own it. The tenor solo is perhaps the hallmark of this album; Hackworth is truly in synch with the backbeat shuffle and his soliloquy is as hot as a two-dollar pistol. For good jazz expressed in a swinging mode, this album is a sure bet to please the discriminating ear. ~ by John Gilbert, ejazznews.com. 

Big Bridge Music, BBM 1004, 2008
Recorded 30th October, 2007 at Showplace Studios, Dover, New Jersey 

Musicians:
Jeff Hackworth - Tenor Sax
Lafayette Harris Jr. - Piano
John Webber - Bass
Alvin Atkinson - Drums
John Basili - Guitar (#1,4,7,8,9) 

Tracks:
01. Can't Help Falling In Love {Luigi Creatore, Hugo Peretti, George David Weiss} (4:35)
02. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing {Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster} (6:45)
03. What Will I Tell My Heart {Irving Gordon, Jack Lawrence, Peter Tinturin} (5:24)
04. Just A Sittin' And A Rockin' {Duke Ellington, Lee Gaines, Billy Strayhorn} (4:31)
05. Just One More Chance {Sam Coslow, Arthur Johnston} (7:10)
06. Stranger In Paradise {Alexander Borodin, George Forrest, Robert Wright} (3:02)
07. Oh You Crazy Moon {Johnny Burke, James Van Heusen} (6:15)
08. One Mint Julip {Rudy Toombs} (4:56)
09. Then I'll Be Tired Of You {E.Y. "Yip" Harburg, Arthur Schwartz} (6:27)
10. Stairway To The Stars {Matty Malneck, Mitchell Parish, Frank Signorelli} (4:35) 

Total Time: 53:43 

Credits:
Producer - Houston Person
Recording, Mixing & Mastering - Ben Elliot
Photos - Evelyn Burg

LINK

Oh You Crazy Moon

Steve Kaldestad with The Mike LeDonne Trio - Straight Up (2014)

The list of those jazz musicians past and present who play(ed) the tenor saxophone is long and varied. Those who were true innovators, and others who were great or near great, is not so long but nevertheless impressive. Trying to make the cut into either category is a daunting task. Steve Kalestad, who has a nice firm tone and easy manner will not fall into either, but that does not mean this album entitled Straight Up is not enjoyable or entertaining. 

Pianist Mike LeDonne was once described by Oscar Peterson as “one of the most promising and talented pianists of this era”. High praise indeed, but well deserved. His presence, along with Webber and Farnsworth, give an added luster to this session with his sympathetic support and exploratory solos. Fortunately, the band decided to forego the usual temptation of using only original material for this session and came up with a varied set list from both popular and jazz composers. 

The band opens with two tunes that fit into these categories starting with the Sammy Kahn/Julie Styne number “Beautiful Friendship” followed by Bobby Troup’s “Meaning Of The Blues”. The first starts off in a loping tempo with Kaldestad running through the melody then kicking in with a lengthy solo which shows he is an impressive improvisor. LeDonne then demonstrates his own solid credentials for several choruses before the band takes the tune out. Miles Davis included the Troup composition in his album Miles Ahead which gave the composition some cachet. Kaldestad and the band offer it in a bluesy frame which works well for all the principals. 

The Charlie Parker composition “Barbados” is well suited to the band’s strengths as it is simply a jumping off point to highlight their expressive versatility. Duke Ellington’s “Warm Valley” is a showcase for Kaldestad’s tenor wherein he captures some lovely turns of phrase and LeDonne gives full measure with some polished playing. The closing track is a minor blues entitled “Blues Straight Up” an original number from Kaldestad. Supported by some rock-solid drumming from Joe Farnsworth and Webber’s big toned bass, the band finds an earthiness and a swagger that is ear-catching. This is a cooly persuasive album from a dependable tenor saxophonist. ~ by John Sunier, Jazz CD Reviews. 

Cellar Live, CL120312, 2014
Recorded 3rd December, 2012 at Cory Weeds' Jazz Cellar, Vancouver, British Columbia 

Musicians:
Steve Kaldestad - Tenor Saxophone
Mike LeDonne - Piano
John Webber - Acoustic Bass
Joe Farnsworth - Drums

Tracks:
1. Beautiful Friendship {Jule Styne, Gus Kahn} (5:44)
2. Meaning Of The Blues {Bobby Troup} (5:41)
3. Let It Go {Stanley Turrentine} (5:47)
4. Barbados {Charlie Parker} (5:04)
5. Warm Valley {Duke Ellington} (5:04)
6. Sweet Siggi {Steve Kaldestad} (5:05)
7. Ligia {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (4:11)
8. Blues Straight Up {Steve Kaldestad} (8:20) 

Credits:
Producer, Executive Producer, Liner Notes - Steve Kaldestad
Executive Producer - Cory Weeds
Producer, Engineer, Mastering, Mixing - Dave Sikula
Graphic Design, Layout - Ian Hendrickson-Smith
Inside Photo - Jesse Cahill
Cover Photo - Steve Mynett