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Carl Saunders: Jazz Trumpet

By Dan Bilawsky
June 8, 2020
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Septuagenarian trumpeter

Carl Saunders

trumpet
1942 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Carl Saunders, whose horn served and enhanced the music of

Stan Kenton

piano
1911 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Stan Kenton,

Ella Fitzgerald

vocals
1917 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Ella Fitzgerald,

Frank Sinatra

vocals
1915 - 1998

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Sinatra and numerous other icons, has been a steady presence on the Summit Records imprint. Whether exploring rare

Bill Holman

composer / conductor
- 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Holman charts or crafting a program with a patriotic shine, acting as a featured guest with the

Gary Urwin

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra, adding some signature zest to the

Phil Norman

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Norman Tentet's material, or offering up his compositions for an ongoing songbook project with heavy-duty leader-participants like

Roger Kellaway

piano
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Roger Kellaway and

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Koonse, Saunders has remained a central figure in the label's catalog. Now, with the arrival of this plainly titled date, he adds to that list with a fairly straightforward set.

Leading an A-list quartet rounded out with pianist

Josh Nelson

piano
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Josh Nelson, bassist

Chuck Berghofer

bass, acoustic
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Chuck Berghofer and drummer

Joe La Barbera

drums
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe La Barbera, Saunders designs a well-mixed collection of classics and originals that pleases without pushing the envelope or resorting to gimmickry. These four need no tricks to sell anything. For them, it's simply about the music, good time(s) and great taste. Making an energetic entrance with

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson's "Recorda Me," Saunders and company make clear that they mean business. Four other wholly familiar nuggets—a joyful "All The Things You Are" with La Barbera trading in good spirits, the solidly swinging "I Thought About You" with a muted Saunders charming his way through the changes, a reasonably-paced "Cherokee" bookended by its flowing bridge, and the delightful "Pick Yourself Up"—spread additional good cheer.

With the exception of the appearance of trumpeter

Tom Harrell

trumpet
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Harrell's "Sail Away"—a cool-headed, bossa-esque beauty that's become a latter-day standard—everything else remaining in the set comes from Saunders' fertile pen. From the blues, spied in sly fashion on "Say What," to quiet charms, packaged in balladic dressings on "Patience," to light-touch bop, given over through "Tofu Or Not Tofu," he makes his mark as a composer with an ear for quality melodies and structural nuance(s). Putting that warm, almost flugelhorn-like trumpet sound to good use, and encouraging his band mates to add their gifts to the music, Saunders delivers a record that's really all smiles. It's far too easy to fall for Jazz Trumpet.

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Track Listing

Recorda Me; All The Things You Are; Say What; Sail Away; I Thought About You; Flim Flam; Patience; Cherokee; Tofu Or Not Tofu; Dusk And Dawn; Pick Yourself Up, Walking On Air.

Personnel

Carl Saunders

trumpet

Josh Nelson

piano

Chuck Berghofer

bass, acoustic

Joe La Barbera

drums

Album information

Title: Jazz Trumpet | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Summit Records

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