I’ve heard one other album by Mississippi-born tenor saxist Brew Moore who died in 1973 at not even 50 years old. I thought I was listening to some lost Stan Getz albums. This one from a series of recordings in Scandinavia will have you scratching your head as well. He’s got a breathy and cool tone, highly influenced by Lester Young, so what more do you want in life? The music here is in the pocket swing with a hint of adventure, as on the eyebrow raising “The Monster.” You won’t be disappointed.
The lion’s share of music is from a 1962 session from Copenhagen with Bent Axen/p, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen/b, William Schiopffe/dr along with guests Lars Gullin/gs, Sahib Shihab/as and Louis Hjulmand/vibe.On his own, Moore blows like a summer breeze on “Ergo” throwing out wonderfully created ideas with aplomb. Melded with the bari, a thick crème is created on “You Stepped Out of a Dream” while “Piger” has him bebopping with Shhabs alto.
A concert in Denmark from the same year includes Don Byas joining the quartet on a rousing but truncated “Lester Leaps In” while “Topsy” spins like a Basie beauty. A final radio broadcast features Moore crooning on “My Funny Valentine”-what else is out there by this guy? I want it ALL!
Fresh Sound Records