By Scott Yanow | Published September 2022
This is the type of session that bebop fans love.
It features a classic tenor-trumpet quintet, high-quality solos that are full of enthusiasm and excitement and revivals of some obscure gems.
Grant Stewart, a tenor saxophonist whose tone occasionally reminds one of Paul Gonsalves and early Benny Golson although his ideas are his own, leads his longtime quartet with pianist Tardo Hammer, bassist David Wong and drummer Phil Stewart, plus the fiery trumpeter Bruce Harris. It makes for a potent combination.
Their repertoire includes two rarely played Clifford Jordan songs (the jazz waltz “Little Spain” and “Bearcat”), Thad Jones’ “Bitty Ditty,” Benny Golson’s “Out Of The Past,” Elmo Hope’s “Mo Is On” (a rapid run through of rhythm changes) and Stewart’s “A Piece Of Art.”
The latter has a pair of Art Tatum phrases in its melody and utilizes the chord changes of “All God’s Children Got Rhythm.” Hammer’s piano solo here is very much in the Bud Powell tradition. The two standards are renditions of “Ghost Of A Chance” and “I’m A Fool To Want You” that are taken a bit faster than usual.
Clearly these musicians were not in the mood to play slow ballads, and coasting was not an option. One can sense the feeling of happiness at this session from November 2021 that the musicians must have had in getting to finally play live with others.
The Lighting Of The Lamps: Little Spain; A Piece Of Art; Ghost Of A Chance; Out Of The Past; Mo Is On; I’m A Fool To Want You; Bearcat; Bitty Ditty. (56:10)
Personnel: Grant Stewart, tenor; Bruce Harris, trumpet Tardo Hammer, piano; David Wong, bass; Phil Stewart, drums.
