I play the tenor sax, and the reason I never attempted playing the alto sax is because I realized I’d never sound like Johnny Hodges, since no other alto player seemed able to accomplish the feat. Most alto players get to bright and blare out their notes. Even Charlie Parker admitted to sacrificing his tone quality for creative chops.
Well, up comes this guy Lenny Hambro (1923-1995) who made his career with Gene Krupa, Billy Butterfield and Ray McKinley’s band before touring regularly with a Glenn Miller Tribute Band. Somewhere along the line, he lead and cut a handful of small group sessions that are simply astounding. He’s got the bebop bug of Bird, and as far as his tone quality-to give you a hint, Duke Ellington had Hambro as his on call replacement for Hodges. Convinced yet?
The first disc starts off with a hint of bebop heaven as Babs Gonzales does some jive on “Sad Eyes” and “Ham Nose” while Hambro mixes the lilt of Hodges with the kineticism of Parker. A handful of session with the famed Machito’s Rhythm section sends you dancing on the tables with “Mucho Pompero,” “Mambo Barbarita” and a wonderful “Si You Later.” The two albums of his own, Message From Hambro and The Nature of Things include Wade Legge/p and Eddie Costa/p respectively and are episodes of saxophone delight. He sighs like a diva on “I Get A Kick Out of You” and “Easy to Love” while skates across the stage like Fred Astaire on “Sweet Sue, Just You” and “Comin’ Thru.” A trio of tunes from a Polish gig has him bopping like Lester Young on “Jumping in the Rain” and “Bernie’s Tune.” The only question you’re going to ask by the time this is over is “Is this all?” Cherish what you’ve got, my friend. Maybe something else will pop up. Maybe not now, maybe not tomorrow, but someday. Here’s looking at you, kid.
Fresh Sound Records