In case you didn’t know, Jimmy Knepper was the trombonist during the halcyon years of Charles Mingus’ band, providing some exciting solos and section work on pieces like “Haitian Fight Song” and “Better Get It In Your Soul.” He was also a member of the famed Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, so he had a fulfilling career. Trombonist Reggie Watkins does an impressive tip of the horn to Knepper, focusing on his composing skills with Matt Parker/ts-ss, Orrin Evans-Tuomo Uusitalo/p, Steve Whipple/b and Reggie Quinerly/dr.
With Parker on soprano, Watkins bops through p ieces like “Figment Fragment” and is spacious on ‘CUnningbird.” Whipple’s bass is bluesy and loose on”Ogling Ogre” and hiply snapping on”In The Interim.” Evans chimes with Parker’s tenor on “ Noche Triste” with the leader sliding like Lou Brock, whiel the closing “Goodbye” is a languid cry from Watkins’ bell. You won’t get any Mingus covers, but a feel for what the yeoman was capable of during a creative career.
BYNK Records