Search - George Russell :: New York, New York

A recording that captures the greatness of New York City

John Greenspan | Santa Fe, New Mexico USA | 02/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"George Russell assembled some of the greatest Jazz musicians of all time for this recording. New York New York consists of some standards and originals but the Russell trademark of creative arranging is all over this. Soloists include John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Art Farmer, Bob Brookmeyer, Max Roach, the underrated Charlie Persip, and Jon Hendricks. George Russell is not only a great composer but he can do amazing things with standards you thought you knew. This could well be one of the ten best jazz recordings of all time. I am sorry that only recently began to explore the work of Russell but I am glad that I finally did."

JAZZ GENIUS GEORGE RUSSELL'S MESMERIZING NEW YORK CITY SALUT

RBSProds | Deep in the heart of Texas | 01/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Five HUGE Stars!! Genius jazz composer, arranger, musician, and educator George Russell, a MacArthur Fellowship 'genius' award winner as well as a winner of 2 Guggenheim fellowships, is caught in 1958 with a daring, mesmerizing thematic salute to the 'Big Apple'. Using singing legend Jon Hendrick's riveting commentary throughout, Russell ramps up his awesome music with a stellar group that includes the likes of pianist supreme Bill Evans, trumpet king Art Farmer, trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, bassist Milt Hinton, guitarist Barry Galbraith, saxist Hal McKusick, Sol Schlinger on baritone, Charlie Persip with some stunning drumming, drum progenitor Max Roach in an appearance and the legendary John Coltrane. And also in the group is Doc Severinsen and Ernie Royal pumping up the trumpet section. Mr Russell is the creator of the Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization which has had a profound effect on jazz musicians and it is in evidence in this recording. Russell's compositional and arranging legend goes all the way back to the stunning "Cubano Be, Cubano Bop" for the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, so this CD catches him already a decade into his masterful relentless jazz career.



Framed by the songs "Manhattan", with the sole appearance of John Coltrane who lays down a blazing solo, and "A Helluva Town" at the end, we find in between Russell's own "Big City Blues" and "Manhatta-Rico", as well as "East Side Medley" ("Autumn in New York" and "How About You"). Preceding each song, the captivating Jon Hendricks sets the stage with wonderfully-incisive words and singing. Bill Evans is a marvel on piano, Art Farmer soars on trumpet, and Charlie Persip lays down some impressive drumming in and out of 4/4 and driving latin beats. His brush work is amazing, as is the Max Roach 'boiler-works' on "A Helluva Town". Tenorist Benny Golson and Brookmeyer's trombone also make telling appearances. This is a fabulous salute to the greatest city on earth by one of jazz' most creative minds who digs deep into psyche of the "sky high" city with a hip, still-modern take on what makes it tick. Intricate section work and outstanding solos mark this as a must-hear big band performance. Wonderfully recorded, this performance gets my Highest Recommendation. George Russell is among our greatest living musical composers and theorists in any genre. Five EZZTHETIC Stars. (iTunes digital download of approximately 50 minutes.)"