George Russell - Ezz-thetics & The Stratus Seekers Revisited

2022 release

Ezz-thetics review

This is a true classic. Composer/pianist George Russell gathered together a very versatile group of talents (trumpeter Don Ellis, trombonist Dave Baker, Eric Dolphy on alto and bass clarinet, bassist Steve Swallow, and drummer Joe Hunt) to explore three of his originals, "'Round Midnight" (which is given an extraordinary treatment by Dolphy), Miles Davis' "Nardis," and David Baker's "Honesty." The music is post-bop and although using ideas from avant-garde jazz, it does not fall into any simple category. The improvising is at a very high level and the frameworks (which include free and stop-time sections) really inspire the players. Highly recommended.

Scott Yanow

The Stratus Seekers review

In 1962, the George Russell Septet included both obscure names in alto saxophonist John Pierce, tenor saxophonist Paul Plummer, drummer Joe Hunt, (who would later work with Bill Evans) and future stars - trumpeter Don Ellis, trombonist Dave Baker who would become a significant jazz educator, and bassist Steve Swallow. The six selections, plus a "new" alternate heard on the CD reissue, are highlighted by "Blues In Orbit" (later recorded by Gil Evans) and the title cut. Two other numbers were written by the sidemen. It is particularly interesting to hear the young Ellis in this setting. The music has its own logic, is somewhat difficult to classify, yet deserves further attention by jazz historians and analysts.

Scott Yanow