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Russell Haight: Go Forth

By Jack Bowers
May 13, 2025
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Go Forth is exactly what saxophonist

Russell Haight

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Russell Haight did after recording this tasteful album in July 2023, leaving the Dallas, Texas area where he had lived and worked for two decades, moving to New York City, the jazz capital of the world, to continue his musical journey among the elite in his profession.

As this was Haight's previous go-round with three of his longtime friends and colleagues from Dallas—pianist

Sean Michael Giddings

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Sean Michael Giddings, bassist Ryan Hagler and drummer

Daniel Dufour

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Daniel Dufour—each one gave the assignment the best they had to offer, sailing nimbly through nine of Haight's respectable compositions and two others:

Cole Porter

composer / conductor
1891 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Cole Porter's "Night and Day" and Judy Garland's signature theme, "Over the Rainbow," session highlights performed back-to-back.

Haight plays tenor sax most of the way, alto on "Night and Day" and his own lyrical "Waltz for J." He is splendid on either horn, as befits his many years of professional experience. As for Haight's teammates—none of them would be treading water even in New York's enormous talent pool. Everyone is rigorously tested on Haight's rapid-fire "Mystic Bud," inspired by

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk's "In Walked Bud," and no one blinks.

Haight also wrote the bright and bustling title song, the graceful "Rich in Heart" (for the late pianist

Rich Harney

piano
1954 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Rich Harney), sauntering "April Gray," brisk "Morning Walk," pensive "Reminiscence" and the quirky and playful finale, "Scooch." Haight departed Dallas with an impactful parting shot, one laden with promise for the stern challenges he would later face in New York City.

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Track Listing

Go Forth; Rich in Heart; Waltz for J; Mystic Bud; April Gray; Interlude; Night and Day; Over the Rainbow; A Morning Walk; Reminiscence; Scooch.

Personnel

Russell Haight

saxophone, tenor

Sean Michael Giddings

piano

Ryan Hagler

bass

Daniel Dufour

drums

Album information

Title: Go Forth | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: OA2 Records

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