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Mike LeDonne: The Heavy Hitters

By Pierre Giroux
February 16, 2023
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There was a period back in the middle years of the 20th Century and beyond when All-Star Groups were quite common, including the

Buck Clayton

trumpet
1911 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Buck Clayton All-Stars,

Howard Rumsey

bass, acoustic
1917 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars, and

" data-original-title="" title="">Gene Harris and the Phillip Morris Superband among several other similar aggregations. In today's musical environment, this kind of coming together of high profile musicians is exceedingly rare, primarily driven by cost issues, although availability of the musicians is also a limiting factor. Pianist & organist

Mike LeDonne

organ, Hammond B3
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike LeDonne was not daunted by this challenge and asked five of his favorite players to join him in this adventure.

So, on May 8th & 9th 2022, the band gathered together at the Van Gelder Recording Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, under the guidance of engineer Maureen Sickler, to put together this session of original compositions, six of which were penned by LeDonne and three by tenor saxophonist

Eric Alexander

saxophone, tenor
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Alexander. This soulful swinging stuff is anchored in the tradition of Blue Note Records. Opening with "Hub" which recalls trumpeter

Freddie Hubbard

trumpet
1938 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Freddie Hubbard, the blazing trumpet of

Jeremy Pelt

trumpet
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeremy Pelt sets the pace for what follows, as each of the players enlivens the track with their spirited solos . With "Silverdust," LeDonne acknowledges pianist

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver as his composition is replete with a recognizable funky Silver feeling and blues-influenced structure. LeDonne is a crisp pianist, and the soloists Pelt, Alexander and alto saxophonist

Vincent Herring

saxophone, alto
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Vincent Herring all show an expressive flexibility and texture awareness which keeps the number bustling along.

The first of Alexander's compositions is "Big Richard" which he wrote for his father who passed away in 2017. In this heartfelt ballad, Alexander switches to alto saxophone backed by the rhythm section. As a showcase, he demonstrates a strong and uncluttered style built on a strong lyrical footing. Following is "Chainsaw," a long form blues which benefits from the addition of guitarist

Rale Micic

guitar
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Rale Micic whose opening salvo adds some grit to the number. The band hustles along like a humming engine running on earthy textures.

Returning to the LeDonne compositions, "Cedar Land" is a contrafact over the chords to

Cedar Walton

piano
1934 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Cedar Walton's composition "Holy Land." In this slashing bop-infused piece, LeDonne's savvy and technically nimble piano leads the way to give Pelt, Alexander and Herring the opportunity to show they are virtuosos with lyrical sensibilities. Not to be outdone, 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 exchange bright ideas with an uncluttered sense of style. This release is a consistently inventive session from a blue ribbon sextet.

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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 Trio - Hammond B3 Week

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