Alto saxist Clark Gibson does a yeoman’s job of going back to some of the most important music in modern jazz with a new eye. He returns to the “Bird With Strings” recordings, but not the more famous arrangements; he uncovers some “lost” sides produced by Norman Granz with Charlie Parker in 1949. Gibson unearths these obscure charts, teams them with strings, harp and a rhythm section of Matthew Charles Enders/dr, Samuel Peters/b and Chip Stephens/p to create a fresh sounding rediscovery of sorts.
Evan Tammen’s oboe and English horn are melded with the strings on many of the pieces here, and they add much allure to a sweet “Stardust” and a mournful “You Go To My Head.”Another more familiar piece such as “Repetition” has a soft fluffiness about it. What comes across as a revelation are arcane charts for material like a Third Stream sounding “Ezz-thetic,” a playful “They Didn’t Believe Me” and a snappy little version of “Yardbird Suite” which includes trumptet by Dan Wdndelken and Barksdale Bryant. Gibson’s alto throughout is lyrical and rich in textures, keeping the bebop flame alive without sounding reverential, but celebrative. The music is amazingly fresh, proving that classic music has a timeless quality.
Blujazz Records