Search - Ray Drummond :: Vignettes

Modern Jazz Etudes

Dr. Debra Jan Bibel | Oakland, CA USA | 11/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is progressive jazz in the same manner of the musical giants of the late 1950s and early 1960s who sought complexity and innovation within a limited improvisation. Ray Drummond's bass is joined with Chris Potter's tenor and Gary Bartz's alto and soprano saxophones, Renee Rosnes' piano, and Billy Hart's drums (plus Joe Lovano's and John Richmond's tenor saxophones on one track), as the master musicans mutually develop each piece. Drummond tells us that he follows the Miles Davis Theory of Bandleading: providing a concept and trusting the talents of band members to gestaltically construct the whole. And they do succeed in a series of intricate studies. "Dedication (To John Hicks)" is the best track of the album, but all are worthy listening. There are impressions and poetry and some familiar modern standards, as Elenor Rigby and Poor Butterfly. In short, a fine album."