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Ed Reed: Born to Be Blue

By C. Michael Bailey
June 14, 2011
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Track review of "Monk��s Dream"

Ed Reed joins fellow West Coasters

Art Pepper

saxophone, alto
1925 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Pepper and

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Morgan in returning to a critically acclaimed career previously derailed by substance abuse. After 40 years of scuffling, Reed cleaned up, became a chemical dependency treatment professional and began recording in earnest. Reed has released two recordings, Love Stories (Self Produced, 2007) and The Song is You (Blue Shorts Records, 2008), each well-received and now followed up by Born To Be Blue, featuring a youthful and upbeat take on

Jon Hendricks

vocals
1921 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Hendricks' vocalese treatment of

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk's "Monk's Dream."

Reed has a unique voice, not overtly powerful but nuanced and experienced. He navigates Hendricks' circuitous phrasing without unnecessary tonal alteration, singing with straight grace and confidence. Pianist

Randy Porter

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Porter and tenor saxophonist

Anton Schwartz

saxophone, tenor
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Anton Schwartz turn in blazing solos, angular and curious in a hot sort of way. Reed reenters, cooling things off in the coda—the complete professional. This is refined vocal jazz that only a lifetime can produce.

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Personnel

Ed Reed

vocals

Ed Reed: vocals; Randy Porter: piano; Robb Fisher: bass; Akira Tana: drums; Anton Schwartz: tenor saxophone.

Album information

Title: Born to Be Blue | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Blue Shorts Records

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