Cedar Walton - Composer / Roots - 2 CD set

2024 reissue

For Cedar Walton's debut on the Astor Place label, the widely respected veteran pianist contributed all nine selections. Although his "Bolivia" is a jazz standard, Walton is not normally thought of as a major composer. However, quite a few of his new pieces could possibly become standards in the future if jazz improvisers explore this disc. Of the more memorable originals, "Martha's Prize" has a light cheerful melody; "The Vision" gives Ralph Moore an opportunity to show just how distinctive he can sound on soprano; "Happiness" is a joyful hard bop tune a little reminiscent of "Little Rock Getaway" with a bridge added; "Underground Memoirs" (which has a particularly strong Walton solo) is a haunting ballad, and "Theme for Jobim" swings with a strong bossa beat. The all-star lineup (trumpeter Roy Hargrove, altoist Vincent Herring, Ralph Moore on tenor and soprano, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Vic Lewis) plays up to their potential with Hargrove sometimes recalling Freddie Hubbard, and Moore and Herring getting in their spots and the ensemble as a whole sometimes resembling the Jazz Messengers. Due to the voicings, there are times when one would swear that a trombone was present. Highly recommended.

For the second straight time (and for his second Astor Place release), pianist Cedar Walton sticks to his own compositions for this recording. What is different from his debut on the label is that, in this case, many of the songs have been around awhile, including his classic, "Bolivia," "When Love Is New" and "Mode for Joe." Walton and his trio (bassist Ron Carter and drummer Lewis Nash) are joined by a five-man horn section (which includes trumpeter Don Sickler), percussionist Ray Mantilla and, on three songs apiece, a featured guest: tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman, trumpeter Terence Blanchard and/or guitarist Mark Whitfield. Everyone plays up to par (Redman, in particular, is in fine form), and overall, this is a solid, modern hard bop date that reaches its potential.

Both reviews by Scott Yanow