From the opening selection of Miguel Zenón's Awake, his fourth CD as a leader, the alto saxophonist demonstrates his diverse musical mind. His originals show surprising maturity, with the individual pieces sounding like part of a larger work, while Zenón's imaginative solos also belie his tender years. The melancholy "Awakening Prelude" provides a subtle introduction with a string quartet accompanying him. His quartet, with pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Hans Glawisching, and drummer Henry Cole, is added for the "Camarón," a dizzying Latin number incorporating some hot bop licks, including a hilarious brief detour into Bud Powell's "Parisian Thoroughfare." "The Missing Piece" is a brooding ballad, with the piano accompaniment suggesting someone pacing the floor. "Awakening Interlude" is wild free jazz, augmenting the quartet with tenor saxophonist Tony Malaby, trombonist Ben Gerstein, and trumpeter Michael Rodriguez. The extended work "Santo" initially has a Middle Eastern flavor, with Glawisching playing an unusual arco bassline beneath Zenón's haunting alto, though the piece frequently changes tempo and mood. "Third Dimension" begins with a repeated angular riff, then switches gears, blending elements of hard bop and Latin jazz, culminating with an infectious rhythm, plus a sax theme that is carried over into his unaccompanied finale, "Awakening Postlude." It is little wonder that Miguel Zenón has attracted so much attention during the early part of his career with such strong outings such as Awake. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG.
Marsalis Music, 087496000925,
2008
Recorded 2nd-4th April, 2007
at Legacy Recording Studios, New York
Musicians:
Miguel Zenón - Alto
Saxophone, Composer
Luis Perdomo - Piano, Fender
Rhodes
Hans Glawischnig - Bass
Henry Cole - Drums,
Percussion
Guests:
Michael Rodriguez - Trumpet
(#6)
Ben Gerstein - Trombone (#6)
Tony Malaby - Tenor Saxophone
(#6)
Strings:
Nioka Workman - Cello (#1,8)
Judith Insell - Viola (#1,8)
Marlene Rice, Orlando Wells -
Violin (#1,8)
Tracks:
01. Awakening [Prelude]
(3:44)
02. Camaron (7:43)
03. Penta (7:33)
04. The Missing Piece (7:42)
05. Ulyssess In Slow Motion
(7:06)
06. Awakening - Interlude
(5:24)
07. Santo (12:04)
08. Lamamilla (5:58)
09. Third Dimension (9:59)
10. Awakening [Postlude]
(2:23)
Total Time: 69:36
Credits:
Producer - Branford Marsalis
Recording & Mixing - Rob
"Wacko" Hunter
Mastering - Greg Calbi
Liner Notes - Miguel Zenón
