Jazz for aficionados

This post is about the big boy of the saxophone family (we'll skip the bass saxophone; for now), the baritone saxophone. Pepper Adams, appropriately nicknamed "The Knife" by Stan Kenton, probably the greatest of the great baritone saxophonists. I particularly like how he uses the extreme bottom of the instrument. While it may seem an obvious thing to do, many more modern players have a tendency to play in the extreme upper range of the instrument (the tenor saxophone range), Pepper loved the bottom of the horn. Of special note on this recording ("The Master"; probably his best) is George Mraz's bass playing. What a beautiful bass player! Notice the fabulous definition and intonation of what he plays. Too often, and in part due to the instrument's fret-less nature, even the great players play with less than perfect intonation and definition, especially in up-tempos. His lines are like melodies that can be easily followed.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m-q01aPQ8J0

Ronnie Cuber is another great baritone saxophonist in a more modern bag who can be heard on many pop recordings (Steely Dan, Stuff, SNL) but who is a bebopper at heart. Some of his best work was as part of George Benson's Cookbook. A really fun record:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SLG2ssX2oto&feature=plpp

Gary Smulyan is probably the most prominent young(er) baritone saxophonist on the scene today. Member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, he filled Pepper's shoes; and what shoes they were. A great player:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=plpp&v=lGfYkNgCshA

Now for something different. World Saxophone Qt. member Hamiett Bluiett is an acquired taste:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2UOjiIXyVNM

Frogman:

Very good Pepper Adams. I get what you said about the bass playing. I though Gomez' intonation on the Brackeen CD was good also. That's why I liked it, just didn't know how to describe it.

Is it harder to play the sax in the lower range?

I had to lol at the last note of the Pepper tune! Now on to the others.

Cheers

Well, 'The Cooker' was certainly aptly named. They were really cooking! I love stuff that moves right along. I had forgotten that george Benson was a very good Jazz player at one time. Now I will have to inflict a Benson 'review' on you all.

The sax playing was very good also. You nailed it, a FUN disc.!!

Cheers

Agree about Gomez; also very good in that respect. I meant to mention that in my post re the a Brackeen cut. Actually, it is generally harder to play the saxophones in the extreme upper range. Many modern players today consider it a testament to their ability on the instrument to play in the upper range; so they go there way too often IMO, at the expense of tastefulness. You will hear a lot of modern jazz players, and especially pop-jazz (aargh!) players play in the "altissimo" register. I think Pepper exploited the bottom of the horn as a statement about "tradition" and resistance to gimmicks; IMO.

Gary Smulyan, now this is the most exciting of all to me, because you say he is of the younger generation. Hell, this could have been Person / McDuff!! I liked it very much. Not the most complex / involving music, but I had no idea anyone was still playing in this vein. Maybe I will finally get to buy music by people still recording and still alive!!

I liked the play on words 'Smul's Paradise' cute.

Cheers