“Hudson City Suite”: The Jazz Word Review

Pianist Scott Healy, perhaps best known for his association with Conan O’Brien on late night TV, presents nine original pieces for his eleven-piece ensemble on the Duke Ellington-inspired Hudson City Suite. In Ellingtonian fashion, Healy utilizes the whole band as a flexible unit to be pulled at will into varied musical landscapes.

The orchestral maneuvering of brass, woodwinds and rhythm section create lush vignettes that are enlivened by first-rate soloing.–John Barron, The Jazz Word

Although Healy emphasizes a through-composed approach over the standard fare of head-solos-head and out, the music is deeply imbedded in the blues. One example is the uptempo “Summit Avenue Conversation” featuring a stellar solo by bassist Carlitos Del Puerto with muted trumpets and saxophones teasing playfully in the background. A flurry of ensemble activity leads into more of a down home blues feel on “Franklin Steps.” Here, alto saxophonist Kim Richmond displays a dazzling sense of soulfulness that’s increasingly rare on recordings.

An exotic flavor is extracted on “Princess Tongora” with thick clusters of sound and Jeff Driskill’s enticing soprano saxophone lines. Healy’s comping adds tension to the piece with syncopation and uncanny voicings. “Central Trolley” finds the leader in fine form, delivering a buoyant solo over the deceptive waltz tempo. There are many stellar moments throughout, including the intuitive back-and-forth between Andrew Lippman’s trombone and Tim Hagan’s flugelhorn on “Gaslight.”

View Original Review
www.hudsoncityrecords.com


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