Requisites

Images ~ Ralph Moore | By Eddie Carter

Ralph Moore enters this morning’s spotlight with Images (Landmark Records LLP-1520). He was born in Brixton in South London, England, and took up the trumpet and various instruments at the age of fourteen before deciding on the tenor saxophone. In the early 1970s, he relocated to Santa Maria, California, and later to Boston, Massachusetts, where he began performing locally while studying at Berklee College of Music. Unfortunately, his studies were interrupted by a home invasion that left him seriously injured and unable to complete his degree. Joining him on this date are Terence Blanchard on trumpet (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B3), Benny Green on piano, Peter Washington on bass, Kenny Washington on drums, and Victor See-Yuen on congas (A3). My copy of the album is the 1988 U.S. stereo release.

Side One commences with an energetic trip on the Freeway by Ralph Moore. From the rhythm section’s introduction, the quintet swings with an invigorating theme. Ralph has the first solo spot and swiftly navigates the trio’s interplay to a satisfying conclusion. Terence follows with an energetic interpretation, then Benny dives into a jubilant performance, culminating in the exuberant closing chorus and climax. The mood shifts to a slower tempo for a beautiful quartet rendition of Enigma by J.J. Johnson. Moore exudes grace and politeness in the opening melody, then proceeds with a richly detailed and tender presentation. Green’s short solo is filled with melodious sweetness, like the taste of a well-aged vintage wine before the close.

The trio’s infectious Latin-influenced introduction begins with Episode From a Village Dance by Donald Brown. The quintet’s danceable theme gets things off to a good start. Ralph leads the way with a happy groove. Terence steps up to give a jaunty reading, then Benny adds to the festive mood in the closing interpretation, ahead of the ensemble’s theme reprise and climax. The quintet takes the beat upward to begin the second side with This I Dig of You by Hank Mobley. The rhythm section’s introduction sets up the ensemble’s rhythmic attack in the melody. Blanchard opens the door with a spirited solo, then Moore brings the heat in the second reading. Green soars ahead next, and the front line mixes it up with Washington preceding the quintet’s closing chorus and exit.

Ralph Moore’s Blues For John is his upbeat tribute to John Coltrane. A spirited two-instrument dialogue between Moore and Washington segues into the quartet’s brisk melody. Benny rolls out the opening statement effortlessly, then the leader soars through the following interpretation with terrific momentum. Peter takes his first solo of the date and delivers an inspired reading, leading to a short theme restatement and abrupt stop. The quintet returns to begin Punjab by Joe Henderson with a bluesy introduction and melody. Peter goes for a leisurely stroll in the opening statement. Ralph follows with a delightful interpretation, then Terence steps for a well-crafted solo that’s marvelously executed. Benny has the last word, then hands it over to the ensemble, who close the song as they began.

Elmo Hope’s One Second, Please, raises the intensity one final time for the trio’s introduction, leading to the quartet’s rapid melody. Ralph launches into the opening statement with electrifying energy. Benny succeeds him with a series of exhilarating ideas that flow seamlessly. Ralph and Kenny add a vigorous footnote before the ensemble wraps up the song. Orrin Keepnews produced Images, with Rudy Van Gelder as the recording engineer. George Horn mastered this release, utilizing a Mitsubishi X-80 digital tape recorder, which enabled direct recording and mastering from two-track digital tape. The album’s sound quality is splendid, with a crystal-clear soundstage that not only allows each instrument to shine but also makes it feel as though the musicians are playing right in front of you.

Ralph Moore is a tenor saxophonist whose music, deeply influenced by John Coltrane, is both personal and easily recognizable. His professional journey began with a 1979 tour of Scandinavia. After moving to New York City a year later, he collaborated with numerous musicians, including as a member of Kevin Eubanks’ band on “The Tonight Show.” “Images” is Moore’s fourth album as a leader, and despite his relatively small discography as both a leader and sideman, each album reveals his energetic and vibrant style. For fans of the tenor saxophone, I invite you to consider “Images” by Ralph Moore for a spot in your library on your next record hunt. It’s a terrific album that showcases Moore’s growing mastery and passion for hard bop, and it should not be missed!

© 2025 by Edward Thomas Carter

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NICOLE HEITGER QUARTET

The Nicole Heitger Quartet presents a blend of Dixieland, swing and bebop, featuring syncopated rhythms and sounds from the 1920’s through the 1940’s. Nicole has been a vocalist for over 30 years and was raised on traditional jazz. Her father, Raymond Heitger, has been the leader of the Cakewalkin’ Jass Band for over 50 years.

She began singing with the CJB when she was sixteen years old, performing at various concerts, jazz festivals, and jazz clubs. Drawing from such influences as Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday she performs the great classics of jazz history and delivers them with her powerful and precise blues-tinged vocals.

The Performers:
Nicole Heitger: Voice
Alex Belhaj: Guitar
Dave Kosmyna: Cornet, Piano

Cover Charge: $25.00 +fees

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ANAT COHEN QUARTETINHO

Following great success at some of the world’s great jazz festivals and venues with her Tentet, Grammy-nominated clarinetist and composer Anat Cohen shifts her focus to an intimate group sound with her newest band, the endlessly colorful Quartetinho (pronounced “quar-te-CHIN-yo,” i.e., little quartet).

The group of New York-based international multi-instrumentalist-virtuosos are all drawn from the ranks of her aforementioned Tentet. The idea of instrumental doubling to achieve a wide stylistic range comes from the larger group, and the spirit of this cross-cultural / stylistic ensemble ring true throughout their performances. They share a deep love for music in all its heterogeneity and it’s all amply represented in both recordings and the band’s own live show. The result is boundlessly melodic and lyrical, with a wide array of timbres and subtle details of orchestration.

The Group:
Clarinet: Anat Cohen
Bass: Tal Mashiach
Piano/Accordion: Vitor Gonçalves
Vibraphone/Percussion: James Shipp

Cover: $40.61 ~ $50.91

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CHRISTIAN SANDS

The Steinway Artist and Grammy Nominee is an emerging jazz force. His abundant piano technique perfectly matches his conception, accomplishing a much deeper musical goal: a fresh look at the entire language of jazz.  Christian says, “My music is about teaching the way of jazz and keeping it alive.”  Whether it’s stride, swing, bebop, progressive, fusion, Brazilian or Afro-Cuban, Sands develops the past while providing unusual and stimulating vehicles for the present… and for the future.  He expresses himself through an extensive vocabulary of patterns, textures and structures, all the while maintaining a strong sense of understatement, sensitivity, taste and swing — hallmarks for as long as he has been playing.

From a very early age, Christian possessed an insatiable appetite for music.  He was enrolled in music classes at age 4 and wrote his first composition at age 5.  He started playing professionally at the age of 10, and studied at the Neighborhood Music School and the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven, CT.  He received his Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts degrees from the Manhattan School of Music.  For his participation on the MSM “Kenya Revisited” album, Sands received a Grammy Nomination for Best Latin Piano Solo.

Since arriving on the scene, Sands has shared the stage with many jazz luminaries as Wynton Marsalis, Diane Reeves, Shelia E, Warren Wolf, Tia Fuller, Gary Burton, Stefan Harris, Teri Lynne Carrington, Jason Moran, Geri Allen, James Moody, Bill Evans (sax), Russell Malone, Terrance Blanchard, Louis Hayes, Patti Austin, Kurt Elling and Dee Dee Bridgewater.  He served as the Creative Ambassador for the Erroll Garner foundation, Artist in Residence for Jazz in July Education program at University of Massachusetts, Artist in Residence for Monterey Jazz Festival for 2020-2022 – he was the Creative Director for the ‘Monterey Festival Band on Tour’ 2022-2023.

Christian provides a soulful melodic touch on S. Epatha Merkerson’s documentary, “Contradictions of Fairhope,” a soundtrack recorded with McBride and a melodic piano introduction to Netflix’s Biopic documentary “Rustin” of which he recorded with Branford Marsalis.  He was named one of the future rising stars by Wynton Marsalis in Jet Magazine.  Vanity Fair’s “Jazz Youth-Quake” also named him as a future jazz star.  He was finalist for the 2015 Cole Porter Jazz Fellowship Award sponsored by the America Pianist Association.

Just embarking on his 30s, Sands has already enjoyed a remarkable career trajectory including a 2013 Grammy nomination with renowned Bassist Christian McBride and 2021 Grammy Nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Composition and 52nd Annual NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Jazz Album Instrumental for his third album “Be Water” recording for Mack Avenue Records.

His music has taken him to many international stages.  In 2023 he received Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, rank of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, from France Minister of Culture.

The Band:

Christian Sands – bandleader, pianist

Ryan Sands – Drummer

Gilad Hekelsman – Guitar

Scott Colley – Bass

Cover: $40.61 ~ $50.91 | Including Fees

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KALEB KIRBY

The band comes together for a vibrant tribute to the legendary John Scofield. From groove-heavy electric moments to intimate acoustic explorations, the ensemble reimagines Scofield’s career-spanning work with deep respect and fearless creativity.

Drawing from his collaborations with Miles Davis, Medeski Martin & Wood, and his own celebrated ensembles, the program showcases the expressive range and rhythmic ingenuity that define Scofield’s voice—bridging tradition and innovation through bold interplay and dynamic sound.

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