Collective
Portrait is much more than just the title of Eddie Henderson's new album for
Smoke Sessions Records. For Henderson, it's the heart and soul of the
remarkable trumpet/flugelhorn master's entire approach to musical expression.
Taking a cue from Miles Davis statement that "a collective portrait is
better than a self-portrait," Henderson has assembled a stellar cast of
musicians to create music forged with the classic qualities of synergy and
empathy essential for jazz at its highest level. Re-uniting with pianist George
Cables and alto saxophonist Gary Bartz -- musical collaborators for nearly 40
years -- along with the perfectly simpatico bass and drums tandem of Doug Weiss
and Carl Allen, Collective Portrait embodies the creative spirit and adventurousness
that is always the primary goal of all of Henderson's musical endeavors.
"I've known all of these guys for a long time but when we got together as
a quintet for the first time in front of a live audience at Smoke to prepare
for this date, I knew we had something," explains Henderson. "It had
that special chemistry."
The
10-composition collection that Henderson has chosen for Collective Portrait is
considerably more than a selection of fine songs. Each piece has a special
meaning to him, including three pieces directly connected to trumpet masters
who were personally influential to Henderson's development. Freddie Hubbard's
"First Light", Woody Shaw's "Zoltan" and Jimmy Heath's
"Ginger Bread Boy", immortalized by Miles Davis, are all powerfully
delivered with virtuosity that never gets in the way of the vibrant lyricism,
relentless rhythmic drive and palpable excitement. Two Cables' pieces -- the
fractured funk rhythm-driven "Morning Song" and the punchy syncopated
driver "Beyond Forever" -- both originally recorded by the two men on
an earlier Henderson album in 1977, are marvelously re-imagined for this
recording. Two Henderson originals (both featuring Cables on electric piano)
are included, the surging but wistful Spanish-influenced "Sunburst" and
the highly atmospheric, aptly titled "Dreams."
And what
would a Henderson album be without the exquisite balladry for which he is an
acknowledged master. Duke Pearson's captivating "You Know I Care" is
given a tender and serene rendition; Leszek Kulakowski's "Spring"
takes a more sprightly, but no less sensitive approach; and
"Together," by Henderson's wife Natsuko, celebrates their 20 years
together in a most lovely manner.
The
musicianship is -- as one would expect from these gentlemen -- simply spectacular.
Bartz (absent on the ballads and "Beyond Forever") is typically
scintillating -- fiery, full-bodied and fluently virile. Cables brings his
mastery of time, space and lyricism to every piece; and Weiss and Allen are
impeccable in their tastefulness and drive, always bringing exactly what is
needed and more. While the music is clearly a shared endeavor, Henderson's
extraordinary artistry is front and center. His powerfully glowing sound,
flawless intonation and willingness to take chances without ever missing his
mark is, as always, breathtaking.
Often
compared to Miles Davis for his deep lyricism and modal mastery, Henderson has
contributed mightily to the music of many of the modern giants, including
Herbie Hancock (including three years with Hancock's Mwandishi group), McCoy
Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, among many others; including that foremost University
of Jazz -- Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He also attended some more widely
recognized universities in pursuit of his medical degree, and in addition to
his busy musical career, Henderson also practiced psychiatry for more than 10
years. Although he is widely recognized by musicians and knowledgeable fans as
one of the finest musicians of the past 40 years, he has not yet achieved the
popular recognition he deserves. Collective Portrait should help bring about a
cure to that.
"Collective
Portrait" was recorded live in New York at Sear Sound's Studio A on a
Rupert Neve 8038 custom console and mixed to ½" analog tape using a
Studer mastering deck.
Eddie
Henderson · Collective Portrait / Smoke
Sessons Records ·Release Date: February 10, 2015
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