For his third date for
Steeplechase
, trombonist
Vincent Gardner
not only omits a second horn, but also utilizes guitarist
Tom Guarna
in place of a pianist, with bassist
Greg Williams
and drummer
Quincy Davis
rounding out the band. The result is solid effort that swings like mad.
Gardner
, who has recorded with
Marcus Roberts
,
Wynton Marsalis
, and the
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
, opens with a fluid arrangement of
Nat Adderley
's
"Teaneck,"
while also mastering
Charlie Parker
's intricate, rapid-fire bop vehicle
"Koko."
His laid-back treatment of
Duke Ellington
's infrequently performed blues
"Rocks in My Bed"
is complemented by
Williams
' walking bass and
Guarna
's spacious accompaniment in an extended workout.
adds a mute for the intimate setting of
Wayne Shorter
"Wildflower,"
a beautiful, subdued performance. The standards include a lush, romantic setting of
"For Heaven's Sake"
and breezy interpretation of the always popular
"Just One of Those Things,"
helping to nicely round out this recommended session. ~ Ken Dryden