Two Words, One Answer.
Billy Lush
 Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn $14.98 Having heard Strayhorn's music performed by Ellington, Hodges, Gillespie, Coltrane, Hartman, Torme (and others), I was quite curious what would Henderson do, joined by Wynton Marsalis and some other young lions in the rhythm section, notably Stephen Scott on piano, Christian McBride on bass and Gregory Hutchinson on drums, a more than suitable line-up to join Henderson and Marsalis. This is BEAUTIFUL. Since so many people wrote fine descriptions of this music, I'll just add that I agree with most of them. The music is imaginative, tradition-consciouss and swinging, like some sort of lyrical version of Charlie Mingus. Henderson's solo rendition of "Lush Life" is obvious favorite of the album but the number of great performances on this album is indeed great (listen, for example to lovely "Lotus Blossom", played in duet with Stephen Scott...) They say this album sold well (partly due to marketing); I don't like financial pressures on art, but when great artists earn some money it kinda pleases me... I feal this is far more subtle jazz "hit" than some other popular jazz records I don't care to mention at this point out of sheer respect for the work of this fine group (or these fine groups, since the musicians play in various combinations; from Henderson's solo to full quintet, with Henderson being the only one playing on all songs).  Lush Life $15.98 I've been waiting to hear this recording for years...to date I've only heard Mr. Strayhorn's rendition of "Lush Life" and was completely blown away by it, this is definitely a must have. |
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