Pharez Whitted - For The People

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:40
Size: 151,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:37)  1. Watusi boogaloo
(5:56)  2. If they could only see
(6:48)  3. Another kinda blues
(5:36)  4. Freedom song
(5:43)  5. For the people
(4:25)  6. It is what it is
(7:33)  7. Sad eyes
(6:38)  8. Keep the faith
(6:27)  9. The unbroken promise
(5:08) 10. Venture
(5:45) 11. Hope springs eternal

Indianapolis-born trumpeter Pharez Whitted has kept a low profile in the new millennium. He's busied himself with teaching, attending to his duties as Director of Jazz Studies at Chicago State University, performing live and appearing as a sideman on a scant number of under-the-radar albums, but none of this has helped to boost his reputation beyond his Midwestern home base. His fourteen year silence between Mysterious Cargo (Motown, 1996) and Transient Journey (Owl, 2010) didn't help matters in the visibility department, but Whitted's making up for lost time now. For The People finds Whitted in fine form, delivering funky hard bop, sunny selections and probing fare with equal skill. His horn work and writing both take center stage here, as he moves through eleven originals with his simpatico sextet. Eddie Harris-influenced funk-meets-hard bop ("Another Kinda Blue"), John Coltrane-like mysticism ("Freedom Song"), Latin-tinged post-bop ("Keep The Faith") and muted melodicism ("For The People") all come into the picture at various times. Whitted's always-focused horn lights the way throughout, whether taking on a flugelhorn-like shine ("If They Could Only See"), working in fiery, Freddie Hubbard-derived fashion ("Another Kinda Blue") or turning into Terence Blanchard-esque territory ("The Unbroken Promise"). While some of the tunes try to pack in a few too many solos, it's understandable that Whitted would want to showcase these musicians. 

Guitarist Bobby Broom, who co-produced the album with Whitted, saxophonist Eddie Bayard, who's capable of delivering molten soul with his tenor and slightly mellower asides with soprano, and pianist Ron Perrillo are all deserving of the space they're given. Bassist Dennis Carroll, who establishes himself right out of the gate with some springy bass on "Watusi Boogaloo," and drummer Greg Artry, who sounds best when things get funky, also deserve a nod for their work. After a long drought, it seems that Pharez Whitted has found the waters of inspiration and virility that will allow him to teach, play and record. Now, people outside of the Chicago area can take notice of Whitted's winning work.~ Dan Bilaswsky https://www.allaboutjazz.com/for-the-people-pharez-whitted-origin-records-review-by-dan-bilawsky.php

Personnel: Pharez Whitted: trumpet; Eddie Bayard: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone; Bobby Broom: guitar; Ron Perrillo: piano, keyboards; Dennis Carroll: bass; Greg Artry: drums.

For The People

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Pharez Whitted - Transient Journey

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:09
Size: 163,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:28)  1. The Truth Seeker
(5:55)  2. Transient Journey
(7:37)  3. Brother Thomas
(6:38)  4. Monkish
(6:18)  5. Plicky
(5:00)  6. Sunset on the Gaza
(6:23)  7. OS Who
(6:02)  8. Until Tomorrow Comes
(5:21)  9. Our Man Barack
(7:19) 10. Soul Mates
(8:03) 11. Yes We Can

The intimidating yet dapper looking man on the cover plays his horn in the same striking manner of his appearance. Chicago trumpeter Pharez Whitted as they might say on the street, "Ain't No Joke" as witnessed by his serious musicianship  chops that are emotive, filled with technique and touch, and soulful swagger. It's hard to believe that Transient Journey is only his third release as a leader.  A musician, band leader, and educator currently serving as Director of Jazz Studies at Chicago State University, Whitted brings a vast wealth of knowledge and superior skills to the recording. It also helps to have a killing sextet that includes the stellar guitarist Bobby Broom who also co-produced the project. While Whitted's previous two recordings were released in the mid-1990s (for MoJazz, a Motown subsidiary) this set of eleven original compositions is well worth the wait.  A delightfully swinging affair is in store. Polished vamps and even smoother solos are served in "The Truth Seeker" and the title track with a chilly urban charisma that's frosted by Ron Perrillo's keyboards and Whitted's soulful trumpet. "Brother Thomas" sounds like it could've been written in the 1960s on Blue Note, ala Freddie Hubbard (a strong influence and a longtime family friend). The infectious "Monkish" is the sweet spot personified. It gets under the skin; finger-snapping music with an infectious quality and quirkiness that gives props to Thelonious Monk.  Whitted's articulation and command of his horn is as fluent and polished as contemporaries like Wynton Marsalis or Terence Blanchard and could teach younger cats such as Corey Wilkes and Christian Scott a thing or two. His sepia-toned flugelhorn is equally impressive on "Until Tomorrow Comes" where its soft glow is suffused in the track's mellow Bossa rhythm.  Whether it's "Plicky"'s funky tempo (dedicated to his sister) or the band's swinging optimism in "Yes We Can," the set is enjoyable from start to finish. It might have taken a minute (a mere fourteen years since his previous release) but it's good to hear Pharez Whitted delivering his music once again. ~ Mark F.Turner https://www.allaboutjazz.com/transient-journey-pharez-whitted-owl-studios-review-by-mark-f-turner.php

Personnel: Pharez Whitted: trumpet, flugelhorn; Eddie Bayard: tenor, soprano saxophone; Ron Perrillo: piano, keyboards; Dennis Carroll: bass; Greg Artry: drums.

Transient Journey

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