Mark Morganelli records infrequently as a leader, but he has been very active in New York City as a promoter and producer, and inevitably has been in charge of organizing the late-night jam sessions at the
International Association of Jazz Educators Conference and the now-defunct
Jazz Times Convention, as well as serving as the New York producer for
Candid during its second incarnation. It's hard for a horn player to go wrong when he has recruited a rhythm section of
Kenny Barron,
Ron Carter, and
Jimmy Cobb, and
Morganelli seems additionally inspired by his company on this live date at
Birdland.
"Speak Low" is a real cooker, while
Barron's
"Dreams" is a gentle
samba featuring the leader initially on fluegelhorn before he returns on muted trumpet.
Morganelli's dark fluegelhorn and
Barron's intriguing chord substitutions give a fresh sound to the oft-recorded
"Summertime," and his waltzing version of another classic,
"A Child Is Born," is also enjoyable.
Morganelli also contributed two originals: the up-tempo
post-bop "Blues for Ian" (in honor of his infant son) and a very happy sounding
samba "The Jolly Jumper," named after one of his son's favorite toys. This CD will greatly please fans of
hard bop and
post-bop;
Mark Morganelli clearly deserves to be recorded more frequently. ~ Ken Dryden
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