Requisites

The Waiting Game ~ Tina Brooks | By Eddie Carter

Tina Brooks enters this morning’s spotlight with what would be his final album, The Waiting Game (Blue Note TOCJ-66075). He recorded exclusively for Blue Note over three years as a leader and sideman, but only one of his records, True Blue, would be released during his lifetime. This morning’s album initially hit the Japanese stores in 1999 as a CD album and reached the US a few years later. Joining the tenor saxophonist is a superb supporting cast: Johnny Coles on trumpet, Kenny Drew on piano, Wilbur Ware on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. My copy is the 2021 Blue Note Tone Poet Series Stereo audiophile reissue (BST-40536).

Side One starts with Talkin’ About, the first of five tunes by Tina Brooks. The rhythm section’s introduction segues into the quintet’s easygoing melody. Johnny has the first relaxing solo; and then Tina delivers the next message comfortably. Kenny follows with a laid-back reading, and Wilbur goes for an easy stroll into the ensemble’s reprise. One For Myrtle picks up the pace significantly from Philly’s brief introduction to the group’s brisk theme. Tina launches the solos; then Johnny shows his energetic exuberance next. Kenny follows with a sizzling reading. Wilbur is up next with a quick flight, and Philly turns in an exciting finale ahead of the theme’s restatement and abrupt ending.

Dhyana opens with the ensemble swinging easily on the danceable melody. Tina gets things going with a splendid opening statement. Johnny follows with a delightful reading, and Kenny closes with an exceptional solo. The quintet’s closing chorus features a brief comment by Wilbur just before the climax. Side Two comes to life with the front line and Philly collaborating in the introduction to David The King ahead of the quintet’s Middle Eastern theme. Johnny takes the song’s first stirring solo. Tina sails smoothly into the second statement. Kenny delivers a dazzling reading of his own, and Wilbur takes a short, satisfying walk toward the song’s conclusion.

Stranger In Paradise by Chet Forrest and Robert Craig Wright begins with a brief introduction by Philly that blossoms into Tina and the rhythm section stating the melody. Johnny steps up first with an impressive statement. Tina swings skillfully next, and Kenny glows brightly on the closer, leading to the reprise and gentle fadeout. The Waiting Game kicks off with the ensemble’s invigorating beat to the melody. Tina blows with feeling in the first solo spot, paving the way for Johnny’s spontaneous ideas that flow constantly. Kenny ends with a few marvelously executed ideas before the theme’s restatement and abrupt halt.

Alfred Lion produced the original session, and Rudy Van Gelder was the recording engineer. Joe Harley produced the audiophile reissue, and Kevin Gray mastered this album. The reissue’s sound quality is amazing, with a stunning soundstage and excellent dynamics. The pressing is extremely quiet until the music starts. The gatefold photos are breathtaking and worthy of hanging on your wall. The front and rear covers are gorgeous, and the use of 180-gram audiophile vinyl is the icing on the cake. If you’re in the mood for an excellent album by one of the best, underrated tenor saxophonists, I invite you to check out The Waiting Game by Tina Brooks on your next record-shopping trip. It’s a great album if you love jazz and are a hard-bop fan that’s highly recommended for a spot in your library!

~ True Blue (Blue Note BLP 4041/BST 84041) – Source: Discogs.com ~ Stranger In Paradise – Source: Wikipedia.org © 2023 by Edward Thomas Carter

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EBBAN & EPHRAIM DORSEY: HOMECOMING

The multi-talented siblings have been playing together since they were 10 and 11. They continue to strive with their gifts as they travel, playing with some of the best local, national and international recording artists. Their performances can be described as two different voices coming together to create a healing, ethereal, and emotional experience for the listeners, as well as themselves.

Ebban Dorsey, 19-year-old alto saxophonist, composer, and bandleader, is from Baltimore, Maryland and has studied with Blake Meister, Carl Grubbs, Tim Green, and Gary Thomas. Ebban has gained a lot of experience playing Jazz and has even performed with Carl Grubbs, Gary Bartz (Performed on a live recording for the documentary titled, “Blues Chronicles”), Kamasi Washington, John Lamkin, Warren Wolf, Benito Gonzales, Kenny Garett, Tia Fuller, Sean Jones, Wycliffe Gordon, Tanya Darby, Erica Von Kleist, Mimi Jones, Shamie Royston, Reginald Thomas, Allison Miller, José James, Matthew Stevens, The Chuck Redd Band, Christian Scott, and many more. She was a member of NYO Jazz 2020 as well as NYO Jazz 2021 and recorded an album with the 2021 Jazz band. She has also performed a jazz rendition of “This Land is Your Land” at the Baltimore Orioles stadium as part of the “Women of Music” concert series, and later performed the national anthem alongside Ephraim Dorsey for the 2020 season opener. Ebban Dorsey is an extraordinary musician with a bright future ahead of her.

Ephraim Dorsey, 20-year-old tenor saxophonist, composer, and bandleader, is from Baltimore, Maryland and has studied with Blake Meister, Carl Grubbs, Tim Green, and Gary Thomas. Ephraim has gained a lot of experience playing Jazz and has performed with Carl Grubbs, Gary Bartz (Performed on a live recording for the documentary titled, “Blues Chronicles”), Kamasi Washington (participated in a film project entitled, “As told to G/D thyself”’, which is available for viewing on iTunes and the Apple Store), Kenny Garett, John Lamkin, Warren Wolf, Benito Gonzales (Performed with at the twins Jazz Club), Kris Funn, Sean Jones, Wycliffe Gordon, Erica Von Kleist, Reginald Thomas, The Chuck Redd Band, Christian Scott, and many more. He was a member of NYO Jazz 2021 and recorded an album with the 2021 Jazz Band. Ephraim is a passionate Jazz musician and aims to share his gift with the rest of the world.

Ticket Fees: $1.70~$3.46

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THE HEAVY HITTERS

The Heavy Hitters is a sextet co-led by pianist Mike LeDonne and tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander. The band is rounded out by some of the premiere purveyors of straight-ahead swinging jazz: Vincent Herring on alto saxophone, Joshua Bruneau on trumpet, Peter Washington on upright bass, and Kenny Washington on drums.

The music is built to tickle your mind, hit you in the heart and get your head swaying back and forth. The Heavy Hitters make soulful kickass swinging music that you might have heard on a Blue Note record back in the day. Not to look back… this is a band that is all about the NOW because it’s happening right now!

The Heavy Hitters have been swinging hard their whole lives! Their debut record was recorded at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio, a place we are so lucky to still have up and running and that is putting out the same great sound we have all loved for all these years. It’s a true “Jazz” sound, recorded by some of the greatest jazz musicians of their generation.

Tickets Fees: $3.07~$4:05

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MARK TURNER QUARTET

Saxophonist Mark Turner has recorded over five dozen albums as a leader, member of a group and as a sideman. He brings his quartet to the club for a special week of music.

He released his first album as a leader in 2004 on ECM Records. It features trumpeter Avishai Cohen, bassist Joe Martin, and drummer Marcus Gilmore. Turner is a member of the trio Fly, with bassist Larry Grenadier, and drummer Jeff Ballard. He also appears in guitarist Gilad Hekselman’s Quartet, and drummer Billy Hart’s Quartet. Turner has recorded extensively with guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, saxophonist David Binney, and pianist Aaron Goldberg, among others. Turner, the ultimate jazz sideman, has played or collaborated with more than 45 jazz bands. In 2018 and 2019 alone he played on eight different jazz albums as a sideman or collaborator.

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RAVI COLTRANE

He bears the name of jazz royalty, and he’s spent many hours curating, archiving and producing his parents’ recordings. But when he picks up his own saxophones, Ravi Coltrane blows an original and distinctly modern strain of jazz, distilling but never seeking to imitate his family’s adventurous improvising spirits. Now one of today’s top saxophonists.

The Band: Ravi Coltrane – Saxophone | Jonathan Finlayson – Trumpet | Luis Perdomo – Piano | Robert Hurst – Bass | Mark Whitfield Jr. – Drums

All Show Sold Out Except The 10:00pm Shows On Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday

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