Mark Morganelli
records infrequently as a leader, but he has been very active in New York City as a promoter and producer, and inevitably has been in charge of organizing the late-night jam sessions at the
International Association of Jazz Educators Conference
and the now-defunct
Jazz Times Convention
, as well as serving as the New York producer for
Candid
during its second incarnation. It's hard for a horn player to go wrong when he has recruited a rhythm section of
Kenny Barron
,
Ron Carter
, and
Jimmy Cobb
Morganelli
seems additionally inspired by his company on this live date at
Birdland
.
"Speak Low"
is a real cooker, while
Barron
's
"Dreams"
is a gentle
samba
featuring the leader initially on fluegelhorn before he returns on muted trumpet.
's dark fluegelhorn and
's intriguing chord substitutions give a fresh sound to the oft-recorded
"Summertime,"
and his waltzing version of another classic,
"A Child Is Born,"
is also enjoyable.
also contributed two originals: the up-tempo
post-bop
"Blues for Ian"
(in honor of his infant son) and a very happy sounding
"The Jolly Jumper,"
named after one of his son's favorite toys. This CD will greatly please fans of
hard bop
and
;
clearly deserves to be recorded more frequently. ~ Ken Dryden