Requisites

In The Vanguard ~ Bobby Hutcherson | By Eddie Carter

This morning’s discussion arose because I’ve been listening intensely to several great vibraphonists in my library recently, leading me to an underrated live album by Bobby Hutcherson. In The Vanguard (Landmark Records LLP-1513) hit the stores in 1987 and documents excerpts of his performance over two December nights the year before at the Village Vanguard. Bobby was the first artist Orrin Keepnews signed for his new record label; this was his third release. The quartet consists of Bobby Hutcherson on the vibraphone and marimba, Kenny Barron on piano, Buster Williams on bass, and Al Foster on drums. My copy is the original U.S. Stereo album.

The opener, Little Niles by Randy Weston, is a jazz waltz. The quartet gets things off to a spirited start with their melody. Bobby opens the soloing with an infectiously swinging groove. Kenny keeps the lyricism intact with a compelling case ahead of the theme’s restatement and close. Estaté by Bruno Martino and Bruno Brighetti is up next. Williams and Hutcherson set the song in motion with a pretty introduction. Barron and Foster enter next to add sensitive warmth to the gorgeous melody. Bobby’s opening solo is beautiful; then Kenny articulates his ideas tenderly while Buster and Al hold everything together into the quartet’s graceful climax.

Well, You Needn’t by Thelonious Monk and Mike Ferro opens with Bobby’s introduction before the ensemble’s theme takes off quickly. Bobby is out of the gate first with an exhilarating reading. Kenny steps up next to play with exciting urgency. Buster and Al share a moment in the closer, preceding the foursome’s return with a quick resolution. Side Two starts with Some Day My Prince Will Come by Frank Churchill and Larry Morey. The ensemble establishes the song with a quaint melody that moves upward for Hutcherson’s opening solo. Barron turns in an exquisite performance next, and Williams provides a superbly conceived finale, one of the album’s highlights before the reprise and ending.

Witchcraft by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh begins with a two-instrument dialogue between Bobby and Buster, segueing into the quartet’s lovely melody. Bobby kicks off the solos with a stream of imaginative ideas. Kenny takes the reins, gliding to the rhythm section’s buoyant beat ahead of the song’s conclusion. I Wanna Stand Over There by Bobby Hutcherson is off to the races during the quartet’s upbeat theme. Barron comes right out of the gate, bristling with energy. Hutcherson follows with a hard-driving interpretation; then Foster provides the album’s final fireworks in a short solo ahead of the theme’s restatement and climax.

In The Vanguard is a digital recording produced by Orrin Keepnews and Tom Mark, the recording engineer. George Horn mastered the album, and Danny Kopelson provided the digital transfer, editing and sequencing at Fantasy Studios. The album’s sound quality is exceptional, capturing the live energy and ambiance of the Village Vanguard. The listener becomes a part of the audience as the musicians perform with crystal-clear fidelity. Despite its high-quality performance and recording, this album is often overlooked in Bobby Hutcherson’s discography. But please don’t let that discourage you from checking out In The Vanguard by Bobby Hutcherson the next time you’re out record shopping. It’s a jazzy treat for your ears and an absolute pleasure to listen to, especially if you enjoy live jazz albums!

Postscript: Estaté is listed on the Side One label and back album cover with two composers, Bruno Martino, and Bruno Brighetti. I have no idea why this happened, but they are the same man, Bruno Martini. He was an Italian composer, pianist, singer, and songwriter. Estaté was his best-known composition; many jazz musicians and vocalists have recorded it since its first appearance in 1960. Martino’s career lasted fifty-five years; he died on June 12, 2000, at age seventy-four.

~ Bruno Brighetti, Bruno Martino – Source: Discogs.com

~ Some Day My Prince Will Come – Source: JazzStandards.com

~ Little Niles, Witchcraft – Source: Wikipedia.org

© 2024 by Edward Thomas Carter

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