Search - David Hazeltine :: The Inspiration Suite

Inspirational, Uplfting, Swinging

John Tapscott | Canada | 10/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Inspiration Suite" by David Hazeltine may be his most personal recording yet. With five of his own compositions (including the centerpiece "The Inspiration Suite"), Hazeltine pays hommge to two musical mentors - Cedar Walton and Buddy Montgomery. There are also two standards and one composition each by Walton and Montgomery. But all the music comes out as Hazeltine's own, set apart by his personal harmonic sense and his swinging solos which cover the keyboard without being overly flashy. Expanding the ensemble with the addition of Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone, Joe Locke on vibes, and (on three tracks) percussionist Daniel Sadownick brings out the harmonic depth and melodic beauty of Hazeltine's attractive compositions and arrangements.



The music, though all recorded in one day, sounds very well-rehearsed and relaxed. The CD opens with a swinging version of "I Should Care" which sets the pace and the sound for the entire program. There are many grooves here - ballad, uptempo burners, medium swingers, and some Latin rhythms. But even with all this variety the CD hangs together remarkably well.



"The Inspiration Suite" is clearly the highlight of the CD with memorable Hazeltine melodies and strong improvisations from all hands. "Gratitude" is intriguingly (but not obviously) built on "Giant Steps" changes. "My Ideal" is a nice change-of-pace trio selection by Hazeltine, Webber and Farnsworth. Both Alexander and Locke are in excellent form throughout the CD, and Joe Farnsworth once again proves to be one of the most sensitive and swinging drummers on today's straight-ahead jazz scene. The sound quality is excellent and the production first-rate on this highly recommended Sharp Nine session. Listening to David Hazeltine and associates on this CD is an uplifting and enjoyable musical experience."