Nat Simpkins-Tenor Sax,
Kermit Ruffins-Trumpet, Vocals, Jason
Marsalis-Vibraphone, Tuba
Fats-Tuba, Peter Martin-Piano,
Roland Guerin-Bass, Cecil Brooks
III-Drums |
Tenor saxophonist Nat
Simpkins brings his Bluejay Records machine down to
New Orleans for his latest offering, "Crescent City".
Simpkins has that big Texas Tenor sound tempered by a
touch of Southern hospitality. Add in the relaxed
atmosphere of the Big Easy, and guest appearances by
some of the hottest modern day New Orleans players
around, and the recipe produces a spicy stew that
lives up to the otherwise cliche of jazz as a rich New
Orleans gumbo.
Nat Simpkins always brings a wide-ranging bill of
fare to the table. Nat is one of that dying breed "the
deep, tough tenor" but he is so much more. Nat spent
his formative years in Bermuda, and his music is
informed by that island beat, and the loose flutter of
the leeward tinge is a satisfying contrast to his
rough hewn sound. Simpkins also has assimilated the
wide scope of the modern jazz idiom, and his gigs
always include the blues, Latin, R&B, shuffle,
ballads, and Calypso as well as the refined hard bop
groove. His previous albums on Bluejay likewise have
varied from the organ-tenor beat to the mellow Cape
Ann Escape. Now, a trip to New Orleans solidifies the
continuum of this melting pot mixture.
Nat has been visiting New Orleans for a few years
now, and he always has felt right at home. The
southern culture fits with his Bermuda roots, and in
the Crescent City the music is in the air, on the
streets, and anywhere you look. On this latest visit,
he went in to the recording studio for sessions that
the vocalist Henri Smith helped arrange with local
musicians. (Henri's album, "New Orleans Friends and
Flavours" from these sessions is also being released
on Bluejay.) The rhythm section is the basis of all
fine recordings, and the section here cooks. Nat's
Bluejay cohort Cecil Brooks III is along for the ride,
and with his drums he brings a colorful palette of
polyphony into the mix. Local musicians Peter Martin
on piano and Roland Guerin on bass (from Nicholas
Payton's band among other New Orleans credits) join
Brooks. While it is the first time that they played
together, they immediately jelled with a power and
sophistication that match Cecil's New York
collaborations. Some of the tunes feature Simpkins
alone in front of this rhythm section, but the album
doesn't stop right there. The date also includes New
Orleans stalwarts Anthony Tuba Fats Lacen, Kermit
Ruffins, and Jason Marsalis.
Tuba Fats is a New Orleans legend and he's played in
traditional bands for well over thirty years, from all
the Brass Bands like the Olympia to organ groups, and
he spends his afternoons outdoors in Jackson Square.
Kermit Ruffins is the hot young trumpeter and growling
vocalist who's founded the Rebirth Brass Band and many
other re-births of the traditional New Orleans style.
Jason Marsalis is a young member of the storied
musical family, and he's made his name on the drums.
Jason is also searching for a new sound on the vibes,
and this is his first record featured on that
instrument.
The record was made in one sitting, with no
rehearsal, no overdubs, and minimal editing. The
program includes both Simpkins originals written
especially for the date and standards arranged with a
twist, but the easy rapport makes it seem like the
output of a working band.
By Sid Gribetz
WKCR-FM
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