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Mike LeDonne: The Heavy Hitters

By Mike Jurkovic
February 18, 2023
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Homing in on the electric, ancestral vibe of

Rudy Van Gelder

various
1924 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Rudy Van Gelder's house of musical myth and magic in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, the Heavy Hitters, spearheaded by journeyman pianist

Mike LeDonne

organ, Hammond B3
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike LeDonne and well-traveled saxophonist,

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Alexander, approach this eponymous debut with a ballsy, brassy, big sounding blueprint which carries through the entire recording.

In deciding who best to share Van Gelder's hallowed space with, LeDonne and Alexander brought in the big guns—namely trumpeter

Jeremy Pelt

trumpet
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeremy Pelt, alto saxophonist

Vincent Herring

saxophone, alto
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Vincent Herring, and the elasticity of bassist

Peter Washington

bass
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Washington and drummer

Kenny Washington

drums
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Washington—not to blur any margins, mash any mixtapes, smash genres or break new ground. Nope, these guys are here for one reason only—to bring the jams and the grooves, and bring them with as much punch as possible.

Mission accomplished.

LeDonne's rousing tribute to

Freddie Hubbard

trumpet
1938 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Freddie Hubbard, "Hub," launches The Heavy Hitters just as one would expect a session of this kind to do; everyone is on their A game from the start, baring all their cards and not holding back. That take-no-prisoners attitude carries into hot boilers such as Alexander's funkified, rafter-shaking "Chainsaw," where tandem rhythm brothers take hold of the track, the front line flies free, and guest guitarist

Rale Micic

guitar
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Rale Micic sails above it all. "Cedar Land" the pianist's crisply loyal nod to

Cedar Walton

piano
1934 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Cedar Walton (who else?) crackles with a 21st century post- bop (and a highlight Pelt solo) that is hard to beat.

Based on a chord progression dictated to him by fellow saxophonist

George Coleman

saxophone, tenor
b.1935

" data-original-title="" title="">George Coleman, Alexander's big harmonics are perfect for the kick meter, sizzle swing of "This Is Something New." Herring and the front line sparkle on LeDonne's crowd pleasing "Silverdust." Led by Herring's own ruminative turn on alto saxophone, the plush reminiscence of "Big Richard" serves as a beatific tribute to his late father. The Heavy Hitters are.

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Track Listing

Hub; New Day; Silverdust; Una Dia es un Dia; Big Richard; Chainsaw; This Is Something New; Cedar Land; Bluesit.

Personnel

Eric Alexander

saxophone, tenor

Mike LeDonne

organ, Hammond B3

Jeremy Pelt

trumpet

Vincent Herring

saxophone, alto

Peter Washington

bass

Kenny Washington

drums

Rale Micic

guitar

Album information

Title: The Heavy Hitters | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Cellar Music Group

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Mike LeDonne Concerts

Sep 27 Sat

Jazz Fest Day

Northampton Jazz Festival
Northampton, MA

Nov 13 Thu

Mike LeDonne Trio - Hammond B3 Week

Blues Alley
Washington, DC

Nov 13 Thu

Mike LeDonne Trio - Hammond B3 Week

Blues Alley
Washington, DC

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