Someday My Prince Will Come (Eighty-Eights/Columbia)
The Great Jazz Trio
Released September 14, 2004
New York Times Best Jazz Albums of 2004
YouTube:
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About:
The late drummer Elvin Jones is best known for propelling John Coltrane, but the groove master was also a member of a legendary musical family. So it’s only fitting that his brother, pianist Hank, was present for this 2002 date, the drummer’s last session. And what a session it was! Along with the ebullient bassist Richard Davis, the siblings swing through several jazz and pop standards. The solid bass lines and pillow-soft piano, especially on the waltzy title track and the Latin-tinged “Caravan,” make for a joyful noise, as does the stride-influenced solo-piano feature, “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” But Elvin Jones’s intricate cross-rhythms and shimmering cymbals provide the superb, syncopated colors, made by a magnificent artist whose brilliant beats and brushstrokes helped paint the canvas of modern jazz.
Eugene Holley, Jr.
Track Listing:
1. Caravan (Duke Ellington / Juan Tizol) 06:38
2. Softly as in a Morning Sunrise (Sigmund Romberg) 06:30
3. Moose the Mooche (Charlie Parker) 05:22
4. A Child Is Born (Thad Jones) 05:10
5. Satin Doll (Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn) 05:22
6. Someday My Prince Will Come (Frank Churchill) 04:46
7. The Shadow of Your Smile (Johnny Mandel) 06:53
8. Long Ago and Far Away (Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin) 05:57
9. You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To (Cole Porter) 05:13
10. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern) 04:48
Personnel:
Hank Jones: piano
Richard Davis: bass
Elvin Jones: drums
Recorded May 12 and 13, 2002, at Avatar Studio, New York, except “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” recorded August 1, 2003, at Sony Music Studios, Tokyo
Produced by Yasohachi “88” Itoh
Assistant Producer: Kyoko Aikawa
Recording Engineer: Yoshihiro Suzuki
Assistant Engineers: Brian Montgomery, Peter Doris, Ricardo Fernandez and Hideyasu Hatagoshi
Mastering Engineer: Tohru Kotetsu
Art Direction and Design: Keiji Uyeda
Design: Hiroko Umezawa
Cover Photography: Tadayuki Naitoh
Executive-Producer: Mikio Aoki
Review:
Founded in 1976 by Hank Jones, the Great Jazz Trio produced several recordings and changed bassists and drummers frequently. This album marks the final studio recording for brothers Hank and Elvin Jones together. Elvin, who is heard here in his prime, soloing frequently and coloring everything admirably, passed away in May at age 76.
The trio interprets these chestnuts with authority. As Richard Davis reiterates “Moose the Mooche” with bowed bass, he applies his personal zeal to the formula. Both bass and drums solo frequently, giving this trio session its equilateral charm.
When Hank Jones expounds upon “Satin Doll” or “Someday My Prince Will Come,” it’s not like anything you’ve heard before. His creativity continues to produce vibrant improvisations unlike the standard treatment. The pianist renews himself every time out. His lush harmony and delicate touch give the audience just enough. Spontaneous left hand chord adjustments provide unexpected surprises on “Satin Doll” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.” The latter is performed a cappella.
The Great Jazz Trio has given us the best of three worlds. Elvin Jones provides remarkable drum set action with a variety of textures. Richard Davis adds bowed and pizzicato thrills that respect these time-honored melodies. And Hank Jones continues to preach the gospel of bebop candidly, with an unforgettable charm.
Jim Santella (All About Jazz)
