There are those musicians who are almost unshakeable pillars of a musical scene. That’s the case with drummer Ed Bonoff, a nonagenarian still active in New York. You can still see him in action at Arthur’s Tavern with the Creole Cookin’ Jazz Band. Imagine the man hung out with Bird, Dizzy and Bud Powell at the original Birdland. Imagine also that only one album devoted to her music existed before this one: Eddie Bert’s The Human Factor in 1997. Greg Burrows is therefore the second artist to visit Bonoff’s repertoire of compositions.
One can only celebrate this initiative that brings to life attractive melodies written in a timeless style reminiscent of the great swing and ballad hits of the golden age of jazz, the 50s and 60s. Burrows has enlisted the services of skilled and experienced partners from the New York scene. The result is exciting, with almost half of the ten tracks delivered with sparkling energy. In the other, ambulatory rhythms like a relaxed stroll or a few well-wrapped walks.
The inspiring trio of horns brought together by Burrows (tenor/soprano, baritone, and trombone) gives the program its full colour with well-felt Ellingtonian connotations. There is also a title inspired by the master, Shout ‘Em, Aunt Tillie, and an Ellington/Strayhorn Medley where you might recognise Day Dream (Strayhorn), Don’t You Know I Care (Ellington), and After All (again Strayhorn). Burrows, of course, leads the charge with a clear and directive, but open and permissive, direction for his excellent colleagues. The music is propelled where it needs to be, held back when necessary, and with effective personal bursts of improvisation from everyone.
An album with a sunny spirit in tribute to an inspiring but too discreet artist.
Greg Burrows – Drums and percussion
Tim Armacost – Soprano and tenor sax
Gary Smulyan – Baritone Sax
John Fumasoli – Trombone Al Orlo – Guitar (4)
Hiroshi Yamazaki – Piano
Rich Zurkowski – Double Bass
