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Rich Corpolongo Trio: Get Happy

By John Barron
July 26, 2010
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Tenor saxophonist

Rich Corpolongo

saxophone
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Rich Corpolongo is a well-known figure on the Chicago jazz scene, having performed for decades with the likes of

Frank Sinatra

vocals
1915 - 1998

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Sinatra,

Mel Torme

vocals
1925 - 1999

" data-original-title="" title="">Mel Torme and drummer

" data-original-title="" title="">Barrett Deems' big band. An author of four books on improvisation, Corpolongo is known for exploring a variety of jazz styles, from standard swing to avant-garde. For Get Happy, his third release on Delmark Records, the veteran reed man recalls the piano-less trio sound of tenor giant

Sonny Rollins

saxophone
b.1930

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Rollins, with a straight-ahead live recording from Chicago's Columbia College.

Throughout this toe-tapping disc, Corpolongo's musings rise from the bebop well with the indelible markings of saxophonist

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker. Indeed, the disc is book-ended with two medium-tempo Parker classics, "Chi Chi" and "Dewey Square." With the support of only bass (Dan Shapera) and drums (

Rusty Jones

drums
b.1932

" data-original-title="" title="">Rusty Jones), Corpolongo is allowed the freedom to straddle the ins and outs of a tune's harmonic structure. Standard gems such as "Without a Song" and "The Boy Next Door" and the title track, find the leader in a playful state, twisting his lines into contorted shapes while maintaining a cool soulfulness.

The influence of Rollins is evident, not only in Corpolongo's improvisations, but in the way he manages a melody. His sly reading of "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" and "Lullaby of the Leaves," for example, contain out-of-left-field octave jumps and ornamental flourishes, bringing a delightful sense of unpredictability to the familiar.

All in all, Get Happy is an attention-grabbing listen from a seasoned improviser with a remarkable story-telling ability.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Chi Chi; Mangoes; Body and Soul; Without a Song; The Boy Next Door; Get Happy; Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams; Lullaby of the Leaves; Dewey Square.

Personnel

Rich Corpolongo

saxophone

Rich Corpolongo: tenor saxophone; Dan Shapera: bass; Rusty Jones: drums.

Album information

Title: Get Happy | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Delmark Records

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