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Anthony E. Nelson Jr.: Swinging Sunset

By Pierre Giroux
June 11, 2023
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The fascination with Hammond B3 organ trios, which were so prevalent in the '50s and '60s, remains undiminished. And rightly so as there were some stellar organists who were plying their trade in that period, including

Jimmy Smith

organ, Hammond B3
1925 - 2005

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Smith,

Milt Buckner

piano
1915 - 1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Milt Buckner and

Wild Bill Davis

organ, Hammond B3
1918 - 1995

" data-original-title="" title="">Wild Bill Davis. However, the mystique around the clubs in which these performers played may be more idealized than the reality. In large part, the clubs were dingy with little or no decor, had poor sound systems and, possibly, were owned and operated by individuals of sketchy character who were frequently unable to make the payroll at the end of the week. Saxophonist

Anthony E. Nelson Jr.

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony E. Nelson Jr., Hammond B3 organist

Kyle Koehler

organ, Hammond B3

" data-original-title="" title="">Kyle Koehler and veteran drummer

Cecil Brooks III

drums
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecil Brooks III are featured on Swinging Sunset which pays homage to the great jazz organ trios of that era.

The opening track is "Canadian Sunset" composed by Eddie Heywood Jr. There is no evidence that Heywood ever visited Canada and accordingly never saw a sunset there. Nevertheless, the song became a popular favorite and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Charts in 1956. The piece percolates along in jocular style with Nelson demonstrating a clean tone and unwavering technique. Koehler digs out the good stuff on the B3, with stellar ride-cymbal time-keeping from Brooks. Nelson wrote "Uno Mas Por Roberto" for his Spanish speaking uncle Bob. This bossa-soul chart was written for one of Nelson's favorite tenor saxophonists

Johnny Griffin

saxophone, tenor
1928 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnny Griffin. The arrangement touches all the appropriate bases with the precisely calibrated rhythms established by Brooks. Nelson and Koehler showing a keen sense of collaboration as they spin out the number.

Tenor saxophonist

Stanley Turrentine

saxophone, tenor
1934 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Stanley Turrentine spent many years working with organists such as

Shirley Scott

organ, Hammond B3
1934 - 2002

" data-original-title="" title="">Shirley Scott and Jimmy Smith, and so he was immersed in that combo style. His number "Minor Chant" was written for Smith's 1960 release Back at the Chicken Shack. This funky soul blowing-session from Nelson stays close to Turrentine's intent with the number; all the while Koehler's B3 efforts ripple ahead, covering all the corners of the rendition. One of the signs of a fully formed tenor saxophonist is the capability to show sensitivity on slower tempos. There are two perfect examples on which Nelson can demonstrate this capacity, firstly "Why Did I Chose You" and then

Tadd Dameron

piano
1917 - 1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Tadd Dameron's classic "On A Misty Night." Supported by the rich voicing from Koehler's organ, Nelson covers the numbers with sensitivity, subtlety, and curiosity.

The album closes with another Nelson original "Last Call ( for Gryce)" written for tenor saxophonist

Tommy Gryce

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Tommy Gryce. This is a slow blues done in a soulful and expressive style with both Nelson and Koehler digging in with solos which are sonorous, warm, and alert.

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Track Listing

Canadian Sunset; One More Once; Girl Talk; Una Mas Por Roberto; These Foolish Things; Minor Chant; Mildew; Why Did I Choose You; On A Misty Night; Three Little Words; Walk With Me; Last Call.

Personnel

Anthony E. Nelson Jr.

saxophone, tenor

Kyle Koehler

organ, Hammond B3

Cecil Brooks III

drums

Album information

Title: Swinging Sunset | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Musicstand

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