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Larry Vuckovich: Somethin' Special

By Bruce Lindsay
August 22, 2011
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Pianist Larry Vuckovich made his recording debut as a leader with Blue Balkan (Inner City Records, 1980), although his playing career began in the '50s, after he arrived in the United States from his native Yugoslavia as a teenager. His recorded output as a leader has been relatively sparse—around a dozen albums—but he's carved out a successful career as a sideman, most notably in a 25-year relationship with singer

Jon Hendricks

vocals
1921 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Hendricks.

On Somethin' Special, Vuckovich and his regular East Coast rhythm section of bassist

Paul Keller

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Keller and drummer

Chuck McPherson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Chuck McPherson are joined by saxophonists

Scott Hamilton

saxophone, tenor
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Hamilton and

Noel Jewkes

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Noel Jewkes. The repertoire comes mainly from bop composers such as

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver,

Tadd Dameron

piano
1917 - 1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Tadd Dameron and

Sonny Clark

piano
1931 - 1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Clark, with Vuckovich adding two of his own tunes to the list. Vuckovich has a light touch, which he uses to deliver some sparklingly delicate solos—his unaccompanied rendition of

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk's "Pannonica" is especially lovely—and which eminently suits the role of rhythm section player in support of his guest saxophonists.

Hamilton is probably the best-known and most prolific recording artist on this date, and while he's not known as a bop player, his talent and ability ensure that he sounds immediately comfortable with the tunes, right from his opening solo on Clark's "Somethin' Special." Jewkes, based in the San Francisco area, has a slightly fatter, funkier tone than Hamilton on tenor, ably demonstrated by his superb playing on Silver's "Enchantment." His soprano on Vuckovich's "Loving Linda," is crystal clear and shows exceptional lyricism.

The key tune on Somethin' Special is

Dexter Gordon

saxophone, tenor
1923 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Dexter Gordon's "Cheese Cake." One of three tunes that feature all five players, it's also the longest track at just over nine minutes, and gives all members of the quintet a chance to stretch out. Hamilton and Jewkes sound like they've been playing partners for years, while Keller and McPherson both add punchy solos.

Somethin' Special is a lovely album, beautifully performed. Vuckovich has selected a set of tunes that includes some unjustly unfamiliar numbers, and Hamilton and Jewkes add grace and sensitivity to the excellent playing of the central trio.

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Track Listing

Somethin' Special; Enchantment; What Will I Tell My Heart?; Comin' Home Baby; Soultrane; How Insensitive; Pannonica; Cheese Cake; Loving Linda; Zeljko's Blues; Star Dust.

Personnel

Larry Vuckovich

piano

Larry Vuckovich: piano; Paul Keller: bass; Chuck McPherson: drums; Noel Jewkes: soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone (1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9); Scott Hamilton: tenor saxophone (1, 3, 4, 6, 8).

Album information

Title: Somethin' Special | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Tetrachord Music

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