Still a vital jazz source at nearly 81 years old…
Kenny Barron – Beyond This Place – Artworks Records/PIAS – CD – 52:54 – ****
(Kenny Barron – piano; Immanuel Wilkins – alto sax; Steve Nelson – vibes; Kiyoshi Kitagawa – double bass; Jonhathan Blake – drums)
Kenny Barron has been a continuous major presence on the jazz scene since the late 1950s. Growing up in Philadelphia, Kenny hit the ground running right after high school, already backing Jimmy Heath, and Yusef Lateef. Soon stints with Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody, Lou Donaldson, Roy Haynes, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, and Stanley Turrentine followed.
Barron first recorded as a co-leader with Jimmy Owens in 1968, and by 1973, was leading his own sessions. His discography exceeds 50 releases, and now nearly 81 years old, Mr. Barron, is as vital as ever.
Following a Grammy nominated solo session last year, The Source, Kenny’s latest CD, Beyond This Place, debuts this month. Along with his long time rhythm section of bassist, Kiyoshi Kitagawa, and drummer, Jonhathan Blake; veteran vibist, Steve Nelson, and young lion, alto saxist, Immanuel Wilkins, rounds out this quintet.
Barron wrote six out of the nine compositions here. The other three tracks come from Thelonious Monk, and standards of “The Nearness of You,” and “Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise.” The standards are re-invigorated, especially because of the symbiotic interplay between Kenny and Steve. The piano/vibes blend seamlessly.
The original Barron tracks also feature the bluesy, feathery light alto tone of Immanuel Wilkins, and rock solid accompaniment of the rhythm section.
Kenny can go from gently ethereal on “Innocent,” to frenetic, entering avant garde territory of “Scratch.”
Then there is the gospel inflected title cut, “Beyond This Place,” the contagious blues of “Blues on Stratford Place,” and the group’s playful read of Monk’s, “We See.”
Kenny Barron will be 81 years old next month. This new classy release verifies his mastery on piano remains alive, and ever so welcome.
—Jeff Krow
Beyond This Place
Tracklist:
The Nearness of You, Scratch, Innocent, Blues on Stratford Road, Tragic Magic, Beyond This Place, Softly As In a Morning Sunrise, Sunset, We See
