Jazz for aficionados

Orpheus10, you could not be more correct; Lew Tabackin is most certainly an underrated player. Lew has been one of the heroes of the NY scene for a long time and I know him personally, having recently been part of a project that recreated Henry Mancini's scores for "Peter Gunn" on which Lew was the featured soloist. A Harmonia Mundi CD release of the project is scheduled for early 2014.

http://www.jazzpromoservices.com/jazz-news/harmonie-ensemble-new-york-steve-richman-conductor-with-lew-tabackin-lew-soloff-the-music-from-peter-gunn-weds-june-1-2011-at-100-p-m-st-peter’s-church/

Lew is a beautiful and exuberant tenor player with a notable Sonny Rollins influence. Heard live one immediately notices his HUGE sound and "take no prisoners" approach. He is a classically trained flutist and is widely recognized as one of the very best, certainly the best living, flute "doublers". You will notice that his style on flute has a subtle Eastern influence; probably the result of having been the featured soloist and co-leader in his wife Toshiko's big band, for which she wrote material some of which has an unabashed Eastern (Japanese) flavor.

Some of my favorite playing by Lew is on Freddie Hubbard's recording "Sweet Return"; highly recommended, and as Rok says "gotta get it".

By popular demand?? :)

Toshiko Ankiyoshi Jazz Orch -- DESERT LADY / FANTASY
featuring Lew Tabackin

Acman3 asked why are so many great players and great music overlooked in the Jazz world.

This recording is proof that great players and music can be overlooked sitting right in front of a person on his CD rack.

Since O-10 and The Frogman were in such a rant, I thought I would see/hear what all the fuss is about.

I got this CD soon after it's release (1994). Listened to it for a few minutes, and back on the shelf it went.

Wrong place and time, both in a physical and emotional sense. I have learned that over the years, so I never sell or throw out any Cd. I might listen at the correct time, and / or grow into it later.

WOW! You are spot on about Tabackin. Well constructed solos. I am amazed at how he goes from the highest to lowest notes of the instrument with such ease. He spends a lot of time in the lowest register / octave.

And he can play the flute. His tone is great. The notes are round and clear without all the buzzing / spitting sound you hear with a lot of flute players.

This band is very together. Very tight playing on all tracks. Great arrangements. The brass players have excellent tone also.

I could not pick a favorite track. They are all exceptional. 'Be-bop' was the perfect tune to close things out. They were so tight, it could have been two people playing.

This is not the first time someone on this thread has opened my eyes to music I already own. That's why I like it so.

As The Frogman said, I said, ain't got it? Git it!

Lord, I almost forgot to mention the Trombone player Conrads Herwig. Awesome playing on the title track.

Cheers

Frogman, "He is a classically trained flutist and is widely recognized as one of the very best, certainly the best living, flute "doublers".

A "doubler" with jazz talent, that's super impressive, and it explains why we can't get enough of his flute. Thanks for this new information on Mr. Lew Tabackin, and if you see him tell about his new fans on Audiogon.

Enjoy the music.

HUGE +1 on Lew Tabackin! Incredible musician, while I own a few of his solo projects I must own at least a dozen records by the Akiyoshi/Tabackin Big Band. IMO their best recording (although they've made quite a few stellar records!) would be 'Long Yellow Road', simply amazing! Another huge +1 on Conrad Herwig. Got a buncha records featuring him also. Coincidentally, less than 24 hrs ago I got the latest by pianist Bill O'Connell, 'Zocalo', a smokin' Latin Jazz record featuring Herwig & Steve Slagle on horns. When I was listening to it I actually thought to myself that Herwig's playing sounds better than ever, truly a musician that's currently at the top of his game!

In case anyone is interested. As I said before, this features some of Lew's very best work. Definitely worth owning. And sealed!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FREDDIE-HUBBARD-SWEET-RETURN-SEALED-ALBUM-/390675478669?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item5af612b88d