Bob Wilber - Bob Wilber Is Here!

Styles: Clarinet And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:50
Size: 145,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:34)  1. Vampin' Miss Georgia
(4:41)  2. Only the Lonely
(2:43)  3. Lou's Blues
(4:52)  4. Dreamy
(4:27)  5. World Is Waiting for the Sunrise
(3:35)  6. Bob Wilber Is Here!
(4:03)  7. Yes, We Have No Bananas
(3:22)  8. Bean
(3:30)  9. Love In Bloom
(4:54) 10. Flower Is A Lovesome Thing
(4:57) 11. Land of the Midnight Sun
(5:21) 12. Across The Pond
(3:59) 13. Johnny Was There
(2:48) 14. Jewel of the Cotswolds
(3:57) 15. Bye Bye Blues

Bob Wilber was ahead of his time when he chose the soprano sax as his primary instrument back in the 1940s, absorbing everything he could from Sidney Bechet before the master saxophonist departed to live and work in Europe. Fast forward to 2010 and Wilber is sharing his knowledge of the instrument with young players Antti Sarpila and Nik Payton, though all three men double on clarinet during the record date as well. 

Starting with Wilber's "Vampin' Miss Georgia" (a thinly disguised "Sweet Georgia Brown"), it's clear that the three players are having a lot of fun in a rare opportunity to all play soprano together. But the two younger men also have a great sound on tenor, as heard in "Bean" (Wilber's swinging tribute to Coleman Hawkins), which also features Jeff Barnhart's lively striding piano. The three reedmen switch to clarinet for a brisk treatment of "The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise," which also features brief solos by Barnhart, bassist Nicki Parrott, and the veteran guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli. This is a thoroughly enjoyable outing that is easily recommended. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/bob-wilber-is-here!-mw0002040666

Personnel: Bob Wilber (clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar); Anne Barnhart (flute); Nik Payton (clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Antti Sarpila (clarinet, soprano saxophone); Jeff Barnhart (piano); Ed Metz, Jr. (drums); Nicki Parrott (bass).

Bob Wilber Is Here!

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Nik Payton And Bob Wilber - Swinging The Changes

Styles: Clarinet And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:39
Size: 157,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:06)  1. I Won't Dance
(3:56)  2. Swinging the Changes
(4:27)  3. If Only You Knew
(5:47)  4. I Believe in Miracles
(2:49)  5. Jasmine
(5:01)  6. No More Blues
(4:40)  7. You Are Too Beautiful
(4:07)  8. California Here I Come
(4:15)  9. Rabbit Jumped the Frog
(3:51) 10. Ode to Pug
(3:22) 11. Skybloo
(4:07) 12. Dialogue
(4:32) 13. JP's Tee
(3:43) 14. Scuttlebrook Bounce
(3:32) 15. The Sage
(4:16) 16. Circulatin' in C

The teaming of a young protégé and an experienced veteran is a combination rarely seen in other forms of music, but it happens frequently in jazz. Tenor saxophonist Nik Payton (not to be confused with trumpeter Nicholas Payton) is paired with his mentor and legendary saxophonist and clarinetist Bob Wilber for this set of swinging mainstream vintage jazz, standards, and a nice slice of originals written by the two. Recorded in England where Wilber has resided for decades, this program is a delightful document of music that is still as relevant and vibrant as any jazz project in recent years. It is made more vital by the youthful curiosity of the Ben Webster-influenced tenor of Payton, and the chuckling, vibrato-laced reeds of the ever masterful Wilber. 

One aspect of this recording that must be emphasized is that the participants like to change it up frequently, adding further to its listenability. Among the well-known standards, "I Won't Dance" sports a peppy tenor/soprano unison line, counterpoint, second line and pure, natural sound. During the whole of "I Believe in Miracles" you hear the robust trade-offs of the younger player's clarinet and Wilber's toothy and ribald soprano, with nice ideas swirling all around. "California Here I Come" is the hottest number, eschewing corn for hard swing with Payton's tenor opposite Wilber's clarinet. Of the seven pieces penned by Wilber, the title track holds an unusual harmonic motif made simple with his alto and Payton's tenor, "Skybloo" has both on clarinet in a well swing groove, and the similar instrumentation for "Dialogue" contrasts in mysterious and dark blue ways. 

Payton is a decent writer, contributing "J.P.'s Tee" in an homage to his clearly swinging dad in a tenor/soprano tandem, the cute alto/tenor challenge "Rabbit Jumped the Frog" for Johnny Hodges and Webster, and "The Sage," a delightfully sneaky and bouncy twin clarinet tribute to Wilber, the ultimate in pure jazz expressionism. In addition, check out their lone bossa Brazilian number (Payton lives in Brazil) "No More Blues," solo features including Payton's decidedly dry Webster-ish ballad "You Are Too Beautiful," and the wonderful Wilber stretching his legato alto during "Ode to Pug." Credit where credit is due goes to the fine pianist throughout the date Richard Busiakiewicz, a new name who should not remain that way for very long, and the veteran bassist Dave Green. Traditionalists will be hard pressed in resisting the temptations of this finely crafted jazz effort, one that deserves lots of attention and affection. ~ Michael G.Nastos   http://www.allmusic.com/album/swinging-the-changes-mw0000793872.

Personnel: Nik Payton (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Bob Wilber (clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Richard Busiakiewicz (piano); Dave Green (upright bass); Steve Brown (drums).

Swinging The Changes

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