Search - John Coltrane, Wilbur Harden :: Complete Savoy Sessions

Recomendo

John Lester | Vila Velha, Espírito Santo Brazil | 10/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wilbur Harden was born in 1925, in Alabama. One of the first musicians of the Jazz to play faintly very so much the trumpet as the fluegelhorn, Harden began his career playing R&B. After working with Yusef Lateef in 1957, he recorded four sessions for Savoy in 1958: three with John Coltrane and one with pianist Tommy Flanagan. With 35 years old, due to health problems, he disappeared of the musical scenery, after recording with the trombonist Curtis Fuller in 1960. If we cannot include Harden among the geniuses of the Jazz, we can easily included among one of the best of his instrument, besides skilled composer (with prominence for the Wells Fargo and Snuffy). Nothing justifies, therefore, the ostracism that until then he was relegated. Proves of that you find in the two excellent cd's of the present compilation. As we read of the cd's title, the sophisticated touch of Harden is accompanied in all the tracks by John Coltrane's contrasting and already restless sound. Newly he go out of the experience of six months with Thelonious Monk in Five Spot and already member of Miles Davis' famous first sextet, Coltrane is in that phase that tries to position `par excellence' as the soloist of tenor sax of the bebop (in frank competition with Sonny Rollins). Then the sensational contrast between his touch and the one of Harden (that explores the medium tones as few in the Jazz trumpet). To the piano (in the two cd's) we found a Tommy Flanagan economical and necessary playing, without never to get lost in the easy resources that he used sometimes when accompanying singers or in some of your more sugary soils. In four tracks he is substituted by the competent Howard Williams. Also in all the tracks of the first cd (that presents sound quality surprisingly good) we counted with Doug Watkins's excellent and discreet presences (bass) and Louis Hayes (drums). In the second cd (that looks a sound quality slightly inferior to the first) we counted with the support of the formidable and vehement Ali Jackson (bass) and Arthur Taylor (drums). Besides them, we have the thickened and intelligent blow of Curtis Fuller in the trombone. Like this, it is with plenty peacefulness that I recommend this great disk to the general lovers of the Jazz and to the disciples of Coltrane in matter."

Um mestre esquecido

John Lester | Vila Velha, Espírito Santo Brazil | 06/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wilbur Harden nasceu em 1925, no Alabama. Um dos primeiros músicos do Jazz a tocar indistintamente bem tanto o trompete quanto o fluegelhorn, iniciou sua carreira tocando R&B. Depois de trabalhar com Yusef Lateef em 1957, gravou quatro sesões para a Savoy em 1958: três com John Coltrane e uma com o pianista Tommy Flanagan. Aos 35 anos, devido a problemas cardíacos, desapareceu do cenário musical, após gravar com o trombonista Curtis Fuller em 1960. Se não podemos incluir Harden entre os gênios do Jazz, podemos incluí-lo facilmente entre os melhores de seu instrumento, além de hábil compositor (com destaque para as faixas Wells Fargo e Snuffy). Nada justifica, portanto, o ostracismo a que até então esteve relegado. Prova disso você encontra nos dois excelentes cd's da presente compilação (gravados em 13 de março, 13 de maio e 24 de junho de 1958). Como se deprende do título, o toque sofisticado de Harden é acompanhado em todas as faixas pelo contrastante e já inquieto som de John Coltrane. Recém saído da experiência de seis meses com Thelonious Monk no Five Spot e já integrante do famoso sexteto de Miles Davis, Coltrane se encontra naquela fase em que procura posicionar-se como o solista de sax tenor por excelência do bebop (em franca competição com Sonny Rollins). Daí o sensacional contraste entre o seu toque e o de Harden (que explora os sons médios como poucos no Jazz). Ao piano (nos dois cd's) encontramos um Tommy Flanagan saudosamente econômico e preciso, sem jamais perder-se nos recursos fáceis de que se utiliza ao acompanhar cantoras ou em alguns de seus solos mais açucarados. Em quatro faixas é substituído pelo competente Howard Williams. Também em todas as faixas do primeiro cd (que apresenta qualidade sonora surpreendentemente boa)contamos com as excelentes e discretas presenças de Doug Watkins (baixo) e Louis Hayes (bateria). No segundo cd (que aparenta uma qualidade sonora levemente inferior ao primeiro) contamos com o apoio dos formidáveis e veementes Ali Jackson (baixo) e Arthur Taylor (bateria). Além deles, temos o sopro encorpado e inteligente de Curtis Fuller no trombone. Assim, é com bastante tranquilidade que recomendo este ótimo disco aos amantes do Jazz em geral e aos aficcionados por Coltrane em particular."

A Great Jazz Collection

Michael D. | Lakeside Park, KY United States | 02/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is great collection; a real time capsule from a great era in jazz music. Wilbur Harden leads a great line-up of John Coltrane, Tommy Flanagan, Doug Watkins, Louis Hayes, Curtis Fuller, Howard Williams, Ali Jackson, and Arthur Taylor. The star on these recordings is, of course, Coltrane. Trane plays as if he is just having a great time on these sessions.



Largely unknown, Wilbur Harden will pleasantly surprise you. He is a competent, though not outstanding trumpet soloist, but he shines as an exceptional composer. It is hard to believe, after hearing this music, that in a couple more years, Harden would disappear from jazz, apparently because of health issues, and be forgotten.



This CD set includes all the takes from 3 different Harden recording sessions in 1958. Recorded by none other than Rudy Van Gelder, these recording have been digitally restored, and sound great. This CD set may be hard to find, but it is worth the effort to go out of your way--way out of your way--to find it.



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