Trombonist Nick Finzer brings in some of the heaviest hitters in town to give a tribute to trombone master JJ Johnson in Rudy Van Gelder’s legendary studio. The cast of Renee Rosnes/p, Rufus Reid/b and Lewis Nash/dr thrive on this kind of material, divided by the pen of Johnson himself and the band. Rosnes’ “Malaga Moon” has her reclining on the ivories with chiming joy, with “Nash snapping to the leader’s “That Thing” and the hard bopping “CC”.
Johnson’s own material is served well, as Finzer glistens on the classic “ Lament”, and is bold and beautiful for “Say When” and lyrical on the upbeat “Shortcake”. This guy slides like he’s on the front end of a double steal!