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Lew Tabackin: Jazz na Hrade

By Ken Dryden
June 6, 2010
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Lew Tabackin began to make his mark in the '60s, touring or recording with

Maynard Ferguson

trumpet
1928 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Maynard Ferguson, the

Thad Jones

trumpet
1923 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Thad Jones/

Mel Lewis

drums
1929 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Mel Lewis Orchestra,

Duke Pearson

piano
1932 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Pearson,

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson,

Elvin Jones

drums
1927 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Elvin Jones,

Donald Byrd

trumpet
1932 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Donald Byrd and The Tonight Show Band. From 1968-69, he was a main soloist with the Danish Radio Orchestra. He helped his wife,

" data-original-title="" title="">Toshiko Akiyoshi, to form her long-running jazz orchestra not long after they moved to California, taking part as its star soloist during its three decades of existence, though the veteran tenor saxophonist enjoyed occasional opportunities to record as a leader of his own small groups, typically piano-less sessions. Since the disbanding of the Akiyoshi-Tabackin Jazz Orchestra, Tabackin has recorded duets and quartets with his wife, in addition to his own trios and quartets utilizing other players, mostly for European and Japanese labels.

This 2009 concert in the Czech Republic was part of an ongoing festival produced, hosted, recorded and commercially issued by the country's president, V��clav Klaus, who also serves as emcee at the start of the disc. Tabackin invited bassist Giuseppe Bassi and drummer Roberto Gatto to accompany him for a European tour, with trumpeter Flavio Boltro guesting on several tracks. Tabackin's tenor encompasses many facets of the great stylists of both swing and bop, while his flute has a more mystical, Far Eastern flavor.

Tabackin's robust tenor is magical in the songs from

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington's vast repertoire, including passionate takes of "What Am I Here For" and "In a Sentimental Mood." The interaction between Tabackin and Boltro in the introduction to "What is This Thing Called Love" is majestic, though the piece transforms into a smoldering, brisk bop setting with the addition of the rhythm section. The tenor saxophonist's hip treatment of

Oscar Pettiford

bass
1922 - 1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Pettiford's "Tricotism" is at times subtle but his humorous song quotes break that spell on occasion. Switching to flute, Tabackin revisits his exotic composition "Return to Pan," engaging in a vibrant duet with Gatto, utilizing over-blowing and sung lines �� la

Rahsaan Roland Kirk

woodwinds
1935 - 1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Rahsaan Roland Kirk. His compelling take of

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane's "Wise One" is a meditative masterpiece.

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Track Listing

?vod by Prezident V��clav Klaus; What Am I Here For?; Wise One; Tricotism; Chasin' the Carrot; Return of Pan; What is This Thing Called Love; You Don't Know What Love Is; In a Sentimental Mood.

Personnel

Lew Tabackin

saxophone, tenor

Lew Tabackin: tenor saxophone, flute; Flavio Boltro: trumpet; Giuseppe Bassi: bass; Roberto Gatto: drums.

Album information

Title: Jazz na Hrade | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Multisonic Records

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