Gordon, Mingus, Sun House and more: Catching up with recent jazz titles

In the last week, thanks in part to some assistance, action finally overtook inertia — at least when it came to straightening up and organizing work “stuff.”

Download Era or not, I count piles of CDs — many unopened still because I can’t seem to find, make or take the time to do so — as part of my “stuff.” Hidden among the 100-or-so CDs were quite a few that I recall seeing and receiving during the past 18 months, or perhaps even earlier than that.

Thus, this edition is about playing catch-up. Rather than waste any more of this precious and happy-to-be-here space, let’s get to it.

Dexter Gordon, “Espace Cardin 1977” (Elemental) As far as I’m concerned, “Long Tall Dex” ranks right up there among the greatest saxophonists of the greatest saxophonists. Sonically, he’s instantly recognizable. Here, Gordon’s quartet (pianist Al Haig, French bassist Pierre Michelot and drummer Kenny Clarke) is captured live in Paris some 45 years ago. It’s vintage Dex, modal as can be. Simply beautiful. If you want to really get to know Gordon — and why he’s so special — try to find where you can stream “‘Round Midnight,” the 1986 film that starred the saxophonist-turned-Academy Award nominee for his portrayal of a legendary expatriate saxophonist living in France.

Benjamin Boone with the Ghana Jazz Collective, “Joy” (Origin) Glad I threw this one on. What else would a saxophonist-playing Fulbright Scholar do while spending a year in Ghana? Obviously, if his name is Benjamin Boone, he would collaborate with a modern-sounding Accra-based quintet that, aside from playing mostly his original compositions, puts its own spin on pieces such as Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage.”

Caleb Wheeler Curtis, “Heatmap” (Imani) Delivered on participating pianist Orrin Evans’ Imani label, saxophonist Caleb Wheeler Curtis leads a sterling quartet that also includes the open-minded/spirited bassist Eric Revis, known mostly as a member of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, and equally free percussionist/drummer Gerald Cleaver. Lots of improv here; lots of notes — good ones, though! 

Steve Davis, “Bluesthetic” (Smoke Sessions) I don’t know how I missed this one. Led by trombonist Steve Davis — a Jazz Messenger, Chick Corea Origin and One For All cooperative alum — his all-original 10 entries here are delivered by a bunch of my favorite musicians: guitarist Peter Bernstein, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, pianist Geoffrey Keezer, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Willie Jones III. Swingin,’ for sure.

NYO Jazz, “We’re Still Here” (Carnegie Hall) When I first took a glance at this recording and saw the large ensemble’s name, the title and that Carnegie Hall had its imprint all over the packaging, I immediately thought the namesake Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, founded in 1991 and dormant since 2002, had somehow been raised from the dead. You can see how I made such an honest mistake. In actuality, this is the National Youth Orchestra’s debut release.

Led by trumpeter-educator and artistic director Sean Jones, with special guests saxophonist Melissa Aldana and trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, the orchestra’s personnel consists of 16- to 19-year-old musicians from across the country that apply each summer to gain entry into the highly competitive program run by the Weill Institute. The compositions here belong to the likes of Miguel Zenón, John Beasley, Neal Hefti, Ralph Peterson with the Duke Person classic “Bedouin,” among others, mixed in. Let’s just say there would seem to be a helluva lot of younger, extremely talented jazz musicians out there in these here United States. Good deal.

Son House, “Forever On My Mind” (Easy Eye Sound) This stands as a solo guitar document, the collected home to eight previously unreleased tracks. Captured before, reportedly, an audience of no more than 50 people on Nov. 23, 1964, at Indiana's Wabash College, the release is part of blues manager Dick Waterman’s extensive cache. This is the guy who produced a number of Bonnie Raitt’s earliest releases.

“Forever On My Mind” appears after 60 years, part of a reel-to-reel compendium. House, a native Mississippian whose career dates to the Depression era, was rediscovered along with others during the mid-1960s folk and blues revival. Truly representative of the Delta Sound, House’s somewhat sparse, National steel guitar picking influenced everyone from Robert Johnson to Muddy Waters and, in some ways, represents the likes of Taj Mahal’s musical compass.

Charles Mingus, “Mingus Three” (Jubilee/Rhino) and “Mingus, The Lost Album From Ronnie Scott's” (Resonance) These titles are included in part in memory of Sue Graham Mingus, the bassist’s last wife who nearly single-handedly kept Mingus’ musical legacy in the public eye. Sue, who first met Mingus in 1964, died at age 92 on Sept. 24.

It is appropriate then that the Mingus centennial (he was born in 1922) rolls on. There are re-issues, new releases that interpret Mingus compositions and previously unreleased titles — each uncorking the treasure trove that is Charles Mingus.

The former consists of one disc that is the original 1957 release on Jubilee Records, and a second comprised of previously-unreleased outtakes from the same session. The trio effort highlights the iconic bassist, playing with pianist Hampton Hawes and drummer Dannie Richmond.

As for “Lost Album From Ronnie Scott’s,” it’s really closer to multiple albums placing the more predominant Mingus ensemble size front and center. The three-disc set, which captures the band in 1972 at London’s premiere jazz club, is greatly enhanced with a detailed account about how these tapes were found as well as a series of interviews with those who knew and/or worked with Mingus closely. The selections here run deep and long — in some cases very deep and long. For instance, “Orange Was The Color Of Her Dress”/”Silk Blues” runs 30 minutes; “Fables Of Faubus,” Mingus' epic “ode” to the former segregationist governor of Arkansas, hits the 35-minute mark. Personally, I’m not sure one can get enough Mingus. 

Jon W. Poses is executive director of the “We Always Swing” Jazz Series. Reach him at jazznbsbl@socket.net.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Gordon, Mingus, Sun House and more: Catching up with recent jazz titles