The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

With rising cases of the Delta variant continuing to fill hospital beds to capacity with the unvaccinated causing other procedures to be postponed and medical staff walking out, I remain even more vigilant in protecting myself from those whose sole purpose is to put themselves and others in harm’s way. Remaining masked, socially distanced and secluded.

This week I’m pulling out the classic 1997 album Big Band by saxophonist Joe Henderson, the fourth of the five albums he recorded for Verve Records during the end of his career. The album was recorded at the Power Station ~ Berklee, New York City over a four year period between March 16, 1992 ~ June 26, 1996 and was released in 1997.

The sessions were produced, written and arranged by Joe Henderson, along with executive producer Richard Seidel, and producers Bob Belden (2,3,4,6,7,9), and Don Sickler (1,5,8). The production coordinator was Patricia Lie. The recording was mastered by Allan Tucker, mixed by Jim Anderson, photography by Jim Katz, and the i​Illustration was created by Edwin Fotheringham.

1. Without a Song (Vincent Youmans, Billy Rose, Edward Eliscu) ~ 5:24
2. Isotope ~ 5:20
3. Inner Urge ~ 9:01
4. Black Narcissus ~ 6:53
5. A Shade Of Jade ~ 8:22
6. Step Lightly ~ 7:19
7. Serenity ~ 5:52
8. Chelsea Bridge (Billy Strayhorn) ~ 4:30
9. Recordame (Recuerdame) ~ 7:25

• Joe Henderson ~ tenor saxophone, arranger (tracks 1, 2, 5, 8)
• Slide Hampton ~ conductor, arranger (tracks 3, 7))
• Dick Oatts ~ soprano saxophone, alto saxophone
• Pete Yellin, Steve Wilson, Bobby Porcelli, John O’Gallagher ~ alto saxophone
• Craig Handy, Rich Perry, Tim Ries, Charles Pillow ~ tenor saxophone
• Joe Temperley, Gary Smulyan ~ baritone saxophone
• Freddie Hubbard, Raymond Vega, Idrees Sulieman, Jimmy Owens, Jon Faddis, Lew Soloff, Marcus Belgrave, Nicholas Payton, Tony Kadleck, Michael Mossman, Virgil Jones, Earl Gardner, Byron Stripling ~ trumpet
• Conrad Herwig, Jimmy Knepper, Robin Eubanks, Keith O’Quinn, Larry Farrell, Kiane Zawadi ~ trombone
• David Taylor, Douglas Purviance ~ bass trombone
• Chick Corea, Helio Alves, Ronnie Mathews ~ piano
• Christian McBride ~ bass
• Joe Chambers, Al Foster, Lewis Nash, Paulinho Braga ~ drums
• Michael Mossman ~ arranger (track 9)
• Bob Belden ~ arranger (tracks: 4, 6)

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