Jazz
VOICES Notes and news on Jazz releases
New Blood, Old Soul
20 OCT 09 ANNE FARNSWORTH
Young alto saxophonist Jon Irabagon was signed to Concord after winning the prestigious Thelonius Monk Jazz Competition in October of last year. This October marks the release of his Concord Jazz debut, The Observer. Featuring trumpeter Nicolas Payton and a stellar rhythm section, it combines a respectful nod to the past with a sound that is fresh and contemporary.
Like legendary alto sax men Charlie Parker and Cannonball Adderley, Irabagon's playing is stylistically more in line with tenor players. The influence of Coltrane and more current forebears like Joe Lovano is evident in his muscular approach. This affinity also surfaces in his material. Along with his originals, he's chosen Tom McIntosh's "Cup Bearers", whose progression at times recalls the complex harmonies of Trane's "Giant Steps" and "Moment's Notice."
Irabagon recruited one of the top rhythm sections around -- pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Victor Lewis. It's almost redundant to mention how awesome they are, that's pretty much a given whenever they hit the stage, but I'll say it anyway. Payton shows why he is one of the top jazz trumpeters working today as he tears up the solo section of "Big Jim's Twins". And with legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder at the controls, this project perfectly fuses old guard artistry with youthful vigor.
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Cup Bearers
Jon Irabagon, from The Observer
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Hot House
Charlie Parker, from Bird At St. Nick's
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Star Eyes
Cannonball Adderley, from Riverside ...
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Straight Street
John Coltrane, from Coltrane [Rudy Van ...
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Cosmos
Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman & Ravi Coltrane ...
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I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
Kenny Barron, from Live At Maybeck ...
in this playlist.
