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Tia Fuller: Decisive Steps

By Larry Taylor
March 8, 2010
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Tia Fuller makes strong statements with her solid saxophone and imaginative compositions in Decisive Steps. She surrounds herself here with female musician—drummer

Kimberly Thompson

drums
b.1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Kimberly Thompson, bassist

Miriam Sullivan

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Miriam Sullivan, and pianist Shamie Royston, who also plays Fender Rhodes. Prominent as well, are male guest stars: bassist

Christian McBride

bass
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Christian McBride, trumpeter

Sean Jones

trumpet
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Sean Jones, and vibraphonist

Warren Wolf

vibraphone
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Warren Wolf.

This is Fuller's second Mack Avenue release following 2007's Healing Space. Excelling in all the reeds, she prominently displays her alto and soprano work here. It is obvious as she reveals in the liner notes, that her strongest influence is

Cannonball Adderley

saxophone
1928 - 1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Cannonball Adderley. But she also looks to

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane for inspiration and her solos throughout are gems of improvisation.

Originally from Colorado and now a New Yorker, Fuller has honed her talent, playing with such names as

Wycliffe Gordon

trombone
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Wycliffe Gordon,

Mickey Roker

drums
1932 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Mickey Roker,

Jon Faddis

trumpet
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Faddis,

Jimmy Heath

saxophone, tenor
1926 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Heath, and

Gerald Wilson

composer / conductor
1918 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerald Wilson. She comes to this session after a recent road trip with R&B star Beyonc��, which gave her a chance to show off her prowess before large crowds.

McBride is another idol and mentor whose influence looms large. "Shades of McBride" is Fuller's slant on his tune "Shade of the Cedar Tree." Her light hearted alto solo is coupled with Wolf's energetic vibes and McBride's commanding bass makes this a winner.

The decider, though, on the album, is her version of the standard "I Can't Get Started With You." It begins with Fuller's flowing, bobbing, and weaving cadenza, which ushers in McBride's graceful bass, shaded by Royston's delicate Fender Rhodes as Wolff's vibes solo clinches this beautiful version.

On the Latin tinged "Kissed By the Sun," Jones trumpet sets the bright mood, while Fuller's strong Coltranesque solo on soprano sax finishes it. Another lustrous side is Fuller's arrangement of the Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer classic "My Shining Hour," which features her plaintive solo, effectively contrasted by Royston's spiky piano chords and McBride's relentless beat. The number is further ignited by Thompson's explosive drumming.

Decisive Steps takes an important stride on Fuller's path for recognition.

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Track Listing

Decisive Steps; Windsoar; Ebb & Flow; I Can't Get Started; Kissed By the Sun; Shades of McBride; Clear Mind; Night Glow; My Shining Hour.

Personnel

Tia Fuller

saxophone

Tia Fuller: alto, soprano saxophones; Kim Thompson: drummer; Miriam Sullivan: bass; Shamie Royston: piano, Fender Rhodes; Sean Jones: trumpet; Christian McBride: bass; Warren Wolf: vibraphone; Maurice Chestnut: tap dancer.

Album information

Title: Decisive Steps | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Mack Avenue Records

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