Search - Daniel Smith :: Blue Bassoon

Daniel Smith
Blue Bassoon
Genres: Jazz, Pop

Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
1. Jody Grind - Daniel Smith, Silver, Horace
2. The Billie's Bounce - Daniel Smith, Morgan, Lee
3. Things Ain't What They Used To Be - Daniel Smith, Adderley, Cannonbal
4. Scotch And Water - Daniel Smith, Ellington~Mercer
5. My Baby's Gone - Daniel Smith, King, B.B.
6. Sack of Woe - Daniel Smith, Adderley, Cannonbal
7. Nostalgia in Times Square - Daniel Smith, Mingus, Charles
8. Equinox - Daniel Smith, Coltrane, John
9. The Double Up - Daniel Smith, Morgan, Lee [Trumpe
10. From Four Till Late - Daniel Smith, Johnson, Robert
11. Break Out the Blues - Daniel Smith, Shearing, George
12. Footprints - Daniel Smith, Shorter, Wayne
13. Solid - Daniel Smith, Rollins, Sonny

CD Details

All Artists: Daniel Smith
Title: Blue Bassoon
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Summit Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2010
Re-Release Date: 1/12/2010
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Style: Bebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 099402530925

Synopsis

Album Description

* An incredible record from Daniel Smith, whose accomplishment reaches beyond the application of the bassoon to blue jazz. If the bassoon gains a place among major solo vehicles in jazz, it will do so thanks to Smith.
* Martin Bejerano is the regular pianist in Roy Haynes' band and one of the most lauded young musicians and sought-after sidemen currently on the scene, known for his lyrical and flowing technique.
* Edward Perez is highly regarded in Latin jazz circles. As a sideman, Perez displays confident, forthright sound; preternatural poise at the front edge of the beat; and impossibly steady rhythm.
* Ludwig Afonso is a permanent member of Spyro Gyra and works frequently in Bejerano's quartet. He is a remarkably subtle player, carefully crafting architecture that becomes the skeleton of every song he plays.

CD Reviews

Not a gimmick...

Timothy G. Niland | New Jersey, USA | 11/13/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Bassoonist Smith takes a clutch of bebop, post-bop and blues standards and play them in a solid and accomplished nature. The unusual tone of the bassoon (for jazz anyway) makes for an interesting spin on this familiar material, holding listeners attention on what might otherwise run the risk of being a routine run through of well known songs. The buzzing sound of the instrument adds a different ambiance to the music, but to Smith's credit, he is still able to improvise with agility on this demanding material. He is accompanied on this album by Martin Bejerano on piano, Edward Perez on bass, and Ludwig Afonso on drums, with two guest spots by guitarist Larry Campbell. Classic hard bop compositions make up the backbone of the material, the funky nature of this material really seems to appeal to the group. Horace Silver's "The Jody Grind" and Cannonball Adderley's "Sack 'o Woe" use aggressive piano comping and locked in bass and drums to create a nice pocket for Smith to fill with a solid meaty solo. Campbell's guitar adds a very nice touch when the band plays the blues, deep down in the alley stuff like B.B. King's "My Baby's Gone" and Robert Johnson's "From Four 'Til Late." Slower material works pretty well too, Wayne Shorter's moody "Footprints" tends to drift a bit, but Charles Mingus' "Nostalgia in Times Square" develops nicely. I think that this album worked well, and will surprise listeners are willing to give it a chance. It takes a little while to adjust to the tone of the bassoon, but applying it to this selection of classic jazz material was successful. Hopefully Smith will get a chance to produce a sequel that focuses on original compositions."