Valery Ponomarev - The Messenger

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:02
Size: 118,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:14)  1. Driving To A Gig II
(9:05)  2. Messenger From Russia
(6:10)  3. Long Distance Relationship
(9:42)  4. Escape From Gorki Park
(7:56)  5. Dark Alley
(5:22)  6. Star Dust
(5:30)  7. Mirage

It’s been quite some time since Russian trumpeter Valery Ponomarev defected from his native land in order to play jazz in America. Landing a gig with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers almost immediately, Ponomarev has gone on to practice the jazz tradition while being documented on a distinguished series of dates for the Reservoir label. Clearly, the affection that Ponomarev has for Blakey is still palpable owing to the title of his latest endeavor. The Messenger is indeed hard bop in the grand style and yet that tart Russian tinge that distinguishes the trumpeter’s sound is ever present, giving his originals a worldly stance all their own. Ponomarev definitely could not ask for better company. Tenor saxophonist Michael Karn has his own individualized line of attack, more in tune with mainstream guys like Buddy Tate and Bud Freeman than Coltrane or Rollins. Pianist Sid Simmons is one of Philadelphia’s finest and drummer Jimmy Cobb really needs no introduction at all. With a concise set of diverse tunes and Jim Anderson’s crisp recorded sound, you end up with 50 minutes of high octane playing that not only treads new ground but also spreads the message of the elders. ~ C.Andrew Hovan https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-messenger-valery-ponomarev-reservoir-music-review-by-c-andrew-hovan.php
 

Personnel: Valery Ponomarev (trumpet), Michael Karn (tenor saxophone), Sid Simmons (piano), Martin Zenker (bass), Jimmy Cobb (drums)

The Messenger

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Jerry Weldon, Michael Karn - Head To Head

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:53
Size: 150.8 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[7:12] 1. Captain Morgan
[8:01] 2. Sweet And Lovely
[6:25] 3. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
[8:39] 4. Big D
[6:17] 5. Late Last Summer
[5:28] 6. All The Way
[6:48] 7. Ow!
[5:49] 8. Far East
[6:21] 9. If Ever I Woild Leave You
[4:48] 10. Koko

Jerry Weldon (Ts); Michael Karn (Ts); Bruce Barth (P); Peter Washington (B); Billy Drummond (D). Recorded June 9, 1998 in Brooklyn, NY, USA by Max Bolleman.

These two guys are great. But put them together and they are FANTASTIC. They are to the tenor sax, what Phil and Quill (Phil Wood and Gene Quill) were to the Alto. Their playing is faultless. The group inculdes Jerry Weldon and Michael Karn on Tenor sax, Bruce Barth on piano, the always great Peter Washington on Bass and Billy Drumond on drums. This CD, recorded in Brooklyn in 1998 sounds like the great sounds of the Bop, Be-Bop and Hard Bop eras. One would never know that it was recorded in the late nineties. I'm a lover of the 1950 to 1963 era of Jazz before all the fusion, avante garde and acid jazz that I can't stomach. It very encouraging to know that guys in this day and age are playing the kind of jazz that was popular back in the Golden Age of post Big Band Jazz. I really feel that these two guys are the best living Tenor sax players living today (along with Joel Frahm of course). I hear shades of Jimmy Griffin, the great tone of Charlie Rouse, the influence of Sonny Rollins and Dexter Gordon when I listen to this CD. The whole album is great, but my favorite is their GREAT version of the immortal Charlie Parker tune "Ko-Ko". You will NOT be disappointed if you like jazz from that era done by two of todays great players. A must have. By the way, the recording quality is great as well. None of that "Bass in your Face" mixing that ruins so many great recording nowadays. Kudo's to the recording engineer Max Bolleman. A Desert Island must ~Tony NYC

Head To Head

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Jerry Weldon & Michael Karn - Head To Head

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 65:56
Size: 150.9 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[7:13] 1. Captain Morgan
[8:02] 2. Sweet And Lovely
[6:26] 3. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
[8:39] 4. Big D
[6:18] 5. Late Last Summer
[5:28] 6. All The Way
[6:48] 7. Ow!
[5:49] 8. Far East
[6:21] 9. If Ever I Woild Leave You
[4:48] 10. Koko

There's something magical about the idea of dueling tenor saxophones that has kept it a popular commodity for many years now. Historically, the first memorable pairing was that of Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray. Then, we had Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt, and let's not forget that incendiary duo of Johnny Griffin and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis! Now you can add a modern day equivalent in the likes of tenor men Jerry Weldon and Michael Karn. While certainly not yet household names, both players have established reputations and bring something fresh to the mainstream tradition. Karn, a student of Joe Lovano's, has worked with a number of New York mainstays including organist Charles Earland, while Weldon studied at Rutgers and has recently been heard in Jack McDuff's combo.

Like the best duos, Weldon and Karn share enough differences in sound and approach to provide the contrast needed for an engaging listen. The former has a beefy sound that has a swagger akin to players of the swing era, while the latter possesses that high-register cry that marks such modern players as Lovano and Michael Brecker. The rhythm section that rounds out the group is made up of first-call players. Bruce Barth is one of the few pianists of his generation with that uncanny ability to play just the right thing that will get everyone going, be it a mainstream gig or the avant-garde. And by now it should be known that bassist Peter Washington and drummer Billy Drummond are two of the greatest jazz musicians of this or any era in jazz.

The festivities get underway with Weldon's "Captain Morgan", a catchy number that recalls the up tempo romps of Lockjaw and Griffin. Karn's "Big 'D'" has hints of "Gingerbread Boy" with its stop-time passages and it serves as a perfect springboard to some inspired solos. Aside from one other original apiece from Karn and Weldon, the program is filled out with a choice selection of well- arranged standards, including a solo ballad performance from each tenor man. A brisk "Ko-Ko" wraps up an undeniably swinging and pleasurable date that, like a comfortable and well-worn shirt, will surely become an old favorite. ~C. Andrew Hovan

Head To Head

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