Vibist Celia Smith teams up with pianist B3er Lagayette Haris Junior and a cast of Carlton Holmes/p-B3, Kenny Davis/b Ron Savage and Carla Cook-Sheila Anderson/voc for a swinging tribute to one of the overlooked giants of jazz, Mary Lou Williams. A mix of Ms Williams’ tunes with originals and standards make for a rich mosaic of ideas, with some lithe vibes and ideas percolating on Smith’s own “Sketch 1” and floating with Holmes’ Hammond on “100 Years of MLW”. Vocalist Carla Cook adds to the gospel feel of “ What’s Your Story Morning Glory” and is bluesy for “ Tell Me How Long The Train’s Been Gone?” with Anderson testifying on “Spiritual 2”. Most ebullient are the duos between Smith and Harris on a dream y “S t. Louis Blues” and fragrant “ Body and Soul”. Well worth a listen.Cecilia Smith: The Mary Lou Williams Resurgence Project Volume One
Vibist Celia Smith teams up with pianist B3er Lagayette Haris Junior and a cast of Carlton Holmes/p-B3, Kenny Davis/b Ron Savage and Carla Cook-Sheila Anderson/voc for a swinging tribute to one of the overlooked giants of jazz, Mary Lou Williams. A mix of Ms Williams’ tunes with originals and standards make for a rich mosaic of ideas, with some lithe vibes and ideas percolating on Smith’s own “Sketch 1” and floating with Holmes’ Hammond on “100 Years of MLW”. Vocalist Carla Cook adds to the gospel feel of “ What’s Your Story Morning Glory” and is bluesy for “ Tell Me How Long The Train’s Been Gone?” with Anderson testifying on “Spiritual 2”. Most ebullient are the duos between Smith and Harris on a dream y “S t. Louis Blues” and fragrant “ Body and Soul”. Well worth a listen.