Tom Harrell - Trip (2014) 320 / Lossless

Few people would fit the 'jazz hero' mold less than Tom Harrell, whose modesty and lack of pretense is in direct inverse proportion to his talent. And yet, Harrell is revered, not for playing fast, high or loudly, but for his supremacy at fashioning astonishingly beautiful aural shapes with a tone of immense gentleness and depth. Many listeners may be familiar with his compositions including Sail Away and his superb arrangements on all his HighNote recordings, while many will have remembered his fine work in the 70's alongside Bob Berg in Horace Silver's band, and a decade later with Phil Woods. His essence, however, is most apparent in the small groups that he leads. His current quintet - together since 2006 - operates with the calm, quiet authority that comes from the best, most experienced groups and it represents a pinnacle in his magnificent career. Harrell is featured here with saxophonist Mark Turner in his 'experimental' quartet, called simply TRIP. Together, Turner and Harrell explore some of Tom's most recent and most stimulating compositions, including a multi-movement suite based on Don Quixote which was commissioned by Dave Douglas' Festival of New Trumpet Music.