Search - Jimmy Forrest :: Sit Down & Relax

Unsung tenor genius

A. K. L. | Steilacoom, WA USA | 11/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jimmy Forrest came out of Ellington's orchestra, where he followed Ben Webster as lead tenor for a few years. Tenors born of Basie and Ellington - Webster, Forrest, Foster, Wess, Lockjaw Davis - had this big, dark, earthy sound because they had to be HEARD above the other horns! When they carried this sound into small organ or piano combos, they began the soul jazz tradition. But soul tenor often gets dissed as if it were nothing but juke box music. Forrest's big hit, 'Night Trane,' did make it in juke boxes all over American. What's wrong with that? Jazz can be the intellectual's hard bop AND the people's music! His playing on this CD (and his other master session, 'Most Much') is solidly in the trajectory of modern jazz: swing to bop. His phrasing is elegant, his interpretations of ballads as sensitive as anything produced by Ben Webster, and his tone is an exquisite blend of honey and wine, with a shot of something stronger at times. Critics and fans should rediscover the genius of Jimmy Forrest. I predict that someday he will be known as one of the giants, both for his perfect tenor tone and the logic of his melodies."

Grab it

Raymond E. Wilson | West Des Moines, Iowa United States | 02/05/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jimmy Forrest was one of many great saxmen of the 50's, 60's etc. If you enjoy swinging sax with fire and soul and great backup group you can't miss with this guy. I've yet to hear a bad lp or cd by this guy. He knows how to swing and its infectious."