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Lewis Porter: Beauty & Mystery

By Mike Jurkovic
February 16, 2018
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A somber, modern/Romanticist solo piano "Prologue" beautifully opens jazz scholar, historian, and accomplished pianist Lewis Porter's Beauty & Mystery, his fourth disc as a session leader.

Accompanied throughout this often inspired recording by bassist John Pattitucci, sought after Grammy-winner and frequent trio companion drummer

Terri Lyne Carrington

drums
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Terri Lyne Carrington and high-flying, rep-rising saxophonist

Tia Fuller

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Tia Fuller, Porter unleashes his vast knowledge of

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane, and the multitude of jazz avenues on a frothy mix of original covers and time tested covers. Led by repeated rhythmic motifs, Fuller gives a full blown Trane-like workout on soprano sax on the burbling bitonality of "Birthplace." "People Get Ready" unwinds effortlessly as Porter and Pattitucci immerse themselves in

Curtis Mayfield

guitar and vocals
1942 - 1999

" data-original-title="" title="">Curtis Mayfield's elegant, secular hymn, taking turns reciting the verses and chorus.

Fuller's fiery, the-sky-is-the-limit alto swirls and powers the rolling vamp "Blues for Trane and McCoy" and rewards the listener with a challenging extended duo passage with Porter that recalls many Trane/Tyner glories. While we're on the subject of the Classic Quartet, Pattitucci's artistry is on full, glorious display on the robust Porter/Pattitucci composition "From Giovanni to Jimmy," a fitting dedication to Coltrane bassist

Jimmy Garrison

bass, acoustic
1934 - 1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Garrison. Free-wheeling interplay highlights "Chasing Lines" a re-arrangement of British bandleader/composer

Ray Noble

composer / conductor
1903 - 1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Noble's "Cherokee." Porter again delves deep into his musical knowledge incorporating raga and jazz on "Dazzling Raga." Porter's lyrical waltz, "Day is Done" closes out Beauty & Mystery, a disc of highly expressed individualism.

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Track Listing

Prologue; Birthplace; Bye Bye Blackbird; People Get Ready; Blues For Trane and McCoy; 1919; Chasing Lines; Dazzling Raga; From Giovanni to Jimmy; Day Is Done.

Personnel

Lewis Porter

piano

Lewis Porter: piano; John Pattitucci: bass; Terri Lyne Carrington: drums: Tia Fuller: soprano and alto sax.

Album information

Title: Beauty & Mystery | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Altrisuoni

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