The Langston Hughes songbook?!? Hey, it works! Guitarist Ken Hatfield puts together of famed poet Langston Hughes, and uses them as a springboard for some wonderful breezily swinging jazz. He brings together a stellar cast of Jamie Baum/fl, Hans Glawischnig, b, Jeff Hirshfield/dr, Steven Kroon/perc, and the Billy Wilder casting choice of Hilary Gardner as the vocalist to bring these words their proper place in the Great American Poet Songbook.
Hughes’ themes were a major part of the Harlem Renaissance of the 20s and 30s as well as a foundation for the Civil Rights movement of the 60s. These melodies (after a sleek opening overture) deliver fragrant frames to Hughes writings like “I Don’t Believe In Titles” and “Convent/Silence.” Gardner delivers these writings as true lyrics, and brings them up both convincingly and artistically. You never feel like it’s a sterile reading in the back room of a Barnes and Noble; this is a band that is playing real music, and it’s enjoyable on any terms you want to take it on. A fresh breeze!
Arthur Circle Music