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Ralph Bowen: Due Reverence

By Woodrow Wilkins
March 27, 2010
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"Less Is More" is not just the first song on tenor saxophonist Ralph Bowen's Due Reverence. It's also a subtle hint about the music.

Bowen studied at Rutgers University under Dr. James Scott and

Robert Dick

flute
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Robert Dick, to whom two of the songs are dedicated. He also studied at Indiana University and in addition to teaching, has performed at numerous venues with a wide array of artists, including

Charles Fambrough

bass
1950 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Fambrough,

Lou Rawls

vocals
1933 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Lou Rawls,

Antonio Hart

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Hart,

Freddie Hubbard

trumpet
1938 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Freddie Hubbard and

Michael Brecker

saxophone, tenor
1949 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Brecker. Due Reverence is Bowen's tribute to those who taught, encouraged, or inspired him.

"Less Is More," dedicated to

Ted Dunbar

guitar
1937 - 1998

" data-original-title="" title="">Ted Dunbar, begins slowly and softly.

John Patitucci

bass
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">John Patitucci uses the bow during a brief duet with Bowen before switching to finger play when guitarist

Adam Rogers

guitar
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Rogers and drummer

Antonio Sanchez

drums
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Sanchez join the effort. The tenor flows freely while the accompaniment is subtle, yet effective. Rogers makes the guitar sing during his solo, slipping in a few chords to offset the main line.

Sanchez engages some energetic stick work to open "This One's for Bob," dedicated to saxophonist

Bob Mintzer

saxophone
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Mintzer. Bowen enters at a frantic pace, pushing the tenor through a series of rapid-notes-per-second phrases that don't let up. The musicians heat things up in the background as Bowen's tenor squeals and wails at key points. The pace continues, but the tone softens during Rogers' solo. Sanchez varies his emphasis behind the guitar, but then cranks up the intensity when he steps out front, giving the entire kit a workout.

Trumpeter

Sean Jones

trumpet
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Sean Jones joins the quartet for "Mr. Scott," the longest piece in the set. Rather than an album with multiple short to moderate songs, Due Reverence simplifies things with only five tracks, each running more than six minutes. That not only allows plenty of freedom for the soloists, but also a heavy dose of interplay among the group.

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Track Listing

Less Is More; This One's For Bob; Phil-osophy; Mr. Scott; Points Encountered.

Personnel

Ralph Bowen

saxophone

Ralph Bowen: tenor saxophone; Adam Rogers: guitar; John Patitucci: bass; Antonio Sanchez: drums; Sean Jones: trumpet (4).

Album information

Title: Due Reverence | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Posi-Tone Records

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