(Wayne Escoffery: tenor and soprano sax; Joe Locke, vibes; Hans Glawisching, bass; Lewis Nash, drums)
Dedicated to the memory of his mentor, Jackie McLean, Wayne Escoffery’s third album was recorded at the tiny nightclub, Smoke, in upper Manhattan on June 2nd and 3rd, 2006. Smoke has turned into a popular recording site and many of New York’s established young jazz artists love the vibe and strong audience reaction they get at this gem of a club.
Having recording mate, the gifted Joe Locke, on vibes, along for the ride guarantees a strong session as the energy that Joe brings to any recording always brings out the best in any jazz artist, whether it be a pianist like Geoff Keezer, or an established tenor player like Escoffery.
In 2001, Wayne became an established member of the Mingus Big Band, and lately Escoffery has shared the frontline with both Tom Harrell and the Ben Riley Monk Legacy Septet, so dues have been paid and his position as a first-rate tenor player well established.
The live session is begun with Locke’s Vibe, a solo introduction to I Waited for You, a tune once made famous by the Gillespie big band. Escoffery’s presence is immediately felt as his rich commanding tone takes charge. The brilliant Lewis Nash keeps time and his cymbals are mixed upfront. Not to be outdone, Locke kicks into the groove with a wild vibes run. Locke and Nash drive Wayne to a passionate solo, and we’re off to an exciting evening of live jazz. Bee Vamp, the first of two Booker Little compositions follows and Wayne continues his tear. He’s all over his tenor and the energy is palpable. The mixing and mastering by Jon Rosenberg is first rate and you get the feeling that you are in a studio with all the bells and whistles rather than in a small night club.
Especially impressive is the tone and full range of Locke’s vibes throughout this recording. The ring and echo pop out of your speakers as if you are two feet away from the vibes. Freddie Hubbard’s well known Skydive follows Bee Vamp and the 70s CTI classic is given a contemporary update. The CD’s liner notes compare the Escoffery/Locke rendition favorably to a Keystone session with Freddie and Bobby Hutcherson – that’s both strong and apt praise.
Tell Me Why, an original Escoffery composition, features Wayne on soprano sax and it is a lovely ballad. It was written for both Wayne’s wife and his mother. The second Booker Little-written track, Looking Ahead, follows and Wayne gives it a swinging treatment complimented by Locke, whose energy seems to supercharge the band.
Isfahan, the Ellington/Strayhorn masterpiece, largely associated with Johnny Hodges, here is charted for Wayne and bassist Glawisching, and Hans’ comping is impeccable. Our visit with Wayne and Company ends with appropriately, Melody for Melonae, from mentor Jackie McLean. It’s the longest track on the CD at thirteen and a half minutes, and the passion that Jackie brought on his 1962 version on the album, Let Freedom Ring, is felt here.
Savant would do well to sign Wayne to a long term contract as his future is so promising. He is playing with the best of the jazz world in New York after attending the Hartford School of Music. His upside in the jazz tenor world is limitless.
TrackList: Locke’s Vibe, I Waited for You, Bee Vamp, Skydive, Tell Me Why, Looking Ahead, Isfahan, Melody for Melonae
– Jeff Krow