Ever wonder what happened to Blue Note Records? I think their vision and soul got captured by High Note Records, as this NYC-based label puts out some of the best forward/thinking modern jazz around. It’s got the heart of the roots, but pushes the sights just a bit over the horizon. Their affiliate, Savant, is essentially the same gig; I think the artists flip a coin as to which label to record on. These two latest releases from a pair of jazz’s best trumpeters shows why there’s reason to rejoice, and you don’t have to only buy reissues to enjoy real jazz.
Whether on trumpet or flugelhorn, Tom Harrell has one of the most gorgeous sounds around. He earned his degree with Phil Woods, and has since put out a healthy and consistent catalogue of material with his own quintet. Here, he displays his team of Wayne Escoffery/ts, Danny Grissett/key, Ugonna Okegwo/b and Johnathan Blake on about half of the tracks of toe tapping material like “Melody in B-Flat” and the title track, as well as some beautiful ballads (“Present”) and some adventurous material (“Preludioum”). What wins you over, though, is the gentle pulse of Harrell’s sound: he does a pair of unaccompanied tunes (most notably “Star Eyes”) that make time stand still, and his unorthodox trio with Escoffery and Grissett on the haunting “The Question” is one for the books. Brilliant music that you’ll come back to over and over.
Jeremy Pelt is another guy with a foot in the tradition, but also throws a couple stones over the wall to see what’s on the other side. This beautiful disc emphasizes, but is definitely not limited to, the graceful sound of his horn. He and the team of JD Allen/ts, Danny Grissett/p, Dwayne Burno/b and Gerald Cleaver/dr create subdued and ebullient sounds on lovely pieces like “The Ballad of Ichabod Crane” and “Suite Rita…” giving a feel as rich as Coltrane’s Ballads album. Pelt’s tone, timing and taste is as perfect as a bel canto opera star, holding notes and knowing when to let go. And, just when you think you’re being lullaby-ed to sleep, Pelt goes on an 11 minute tear with a searing hard hitter with just the quartet on “What’s Wrong is Right” and jolts you awake like a power drink. The mix of mellow with mustard is a saucy delight here.
High Note Records