I was driving in my car and listening to Kjazz as I often do when I heard this electrifying version of Cannonball Adderley's great tune, Jive Samba. I immediately checked their playlist and found out that it was a live concert led by the wonderful Gene Harris. I have to come clean and say I had never heard Ernie Watts play alto sax before and man, does he explode out of the speakers.
Pianist Gene Harris again lays down soulful, bluesy, funky grooves on his 21st album for Concord. Recorded live at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle, the aggregation includes saxophonists Ernie Watts and Red Holloway, and organist Jack McDuff working new magic on familiar charts.
Standout tracks feature Harris' dynamic gospel-funk form on "Put It Where You Want It," Holloway and Watts in tenor tandem on Benny Golson's "Blues Walk" and Brother Jack's dazzling B-3 on Eddie Harris' "Listen Here." Other stellar moments: Watts' searing alto on Nat Adderly's "Jive Samba," and the combination of Holloway's tender tenor and audacious Niki Harris, the leader's vocalist-daughter, on "Please Send Me Someone to Love." The well-meshed rhythm section has Frank Potenza on guitar, Luther Hughes on bass and Paul Kreibich on drums. These cats have created a jazz-blues classic.
It's Friday night and it's hot in LA, so sit back and enjoy this blistering track.
