Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Kenny Burrell: Unlimited 1, Live at Catalina's

Kenny Burrell: Unlimited 1, Live at Catalina's

By Jack Bowers
November 22, 2016
View read count

Kenny Burrell: Unlimited 1, Live at Catalina's

Guitarist

Kenny Burrell

guitar, electric
b.1931

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Burrell, who isn't generally known for hanging out with big bands, now has one of his own: the Los Angeles-based Jazz Orchestra Unlimited, for which he serves as music director on its debut album, Unlimited 1, Live at Catalina's. While the ensemble is splendid, individually and collectively, there's no doubt that Burrell is the star attraction. Any misgiving about that is erased by the fact that the names of orchestra members aren't listed in the Catalina's booklet except as soloists. Luckily, most of them have at least one chance to do so, leaving less than a handful of uncounted participants.

In his opening remarks, Burrell says a part of the orchestra's mission is to become a repertory ensemble playing "the great jazz classics and standards," a purpose that is somewhat underplayed here, as only four of the ten numbers would qualify as such. Besides soloing on all but one selection, Burrell sings on two (

Duke Pearson

piano
1932 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Pearson's "Jeannine," his own "Remembering"), guest

Barbara Morrison

vocals
1949 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Barbara Morrison on one (the bravura finale, "Things Ain't What They Used to Be"). Although his voice is by no means polished, Burrell manages to reach the proper notes; Morrison, meanwhile, lends a bluesy patina to the Ellington classic, on which Burrell and the orchestra swing with abandon.

Burrell's co-directors are composer / arranger / guitarist

Charley Harrison

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Charley Harrison and trumpeter

Bobby Rodriguez

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Rodriguez, and among the album's highlights is Rodriguez' loping Latin-accented romp, "Mama Ya Ya," written to honor his great-great grandmother (on his mother's side). Rodriguez also composed the multi-faceted "Adelante!" as a showpiece for Burrell and the orchestra. Completing the amiable program are Burrell's lyrical "Be Yourself" (inspired, he writes, by Ellington) and power-packed "Fourth Dimensions" (arranged by

Don Sickler

trumpet
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Sickler),

Richard Evans

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Richard Evans' evocative blues, "Soulero" (featuring versatile drummer

Clayton Cameron

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Clayton Cameron) and a

Billy Strayhorn

piano
1915 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Strayhorn medley ("Passion Flower," "Take the 'A' Train"), on the last of which the trumpet section reprises

Ray Nance

cornet
1913 - 1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Nance's original solo.

In sum, an auspicious debut by the Jazz Unlimited Orchestra, whose sections are laden with some of the area's most accomplished sidemen, and another solid outing for Burrell who is at home in any arena.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Spoken Introduction; Stolen Moments; Jeannine; Be Yourself; Spoken Introduction; Remembering; Spoken Introduction; Mama Ya Ya; Fourth Dimensions (a.k.a. Kenny��s Sound); Adelante; Spoken Introduction; Soulero; Spoken Introduction; Strayhorn Medley (Passion Flower / Take the ��A�� Train); Spoken Introduction; Things Ain��t What They Used to Be.

Personnel

Kenny Burrell

guitar, electric

Kenny Burrell: artistic director, electric guitar, vocals, commentary; Los Angeles Jazz Orchestra Unlimited: Charley Harrison, Dr. Bobby Rodriguez: co-directors; Bobby Rodriguez: trumpet; Mike Price: trumpet; Dave Richards: trumpet; Jon Papanbrook: trumpet; Tom Marino: trumpet; Andre Delano: alto sax; Justo Almario: tenor sax, flute; Scott Mayo: tenor sax; Charles Owens: baritone sax; Nick De Pinna: trombone; Ryan Porter: trombone; Billy Mitchell: piano; Trevor Ware: bass; Clayton Cameron: drums; Barbara Morrison: vocal (16). Other personnel unlisted.

Album information

Title: Unlimited 1, Live at Catalina's | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: HighNote Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Antenna
< Previous

Quinsin Nachoff's Flux at Constellat...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.