Javon Jackson, David Hazeltine - Sugar Hill: The Music Of Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn (2007) [SACD]

The acclaimed New York saxophonist Javon Jackson leads a celebration of the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, whose collaboration began in 1938 and continued until Strayhorn's death in 1967. Jackson is joined for this session by arranger/pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Paul Gill and drummer Tony Reedus. Together they perform well-known compositions such as "Caravan," "Chelsea Bridge," and "Lotus Blossom," as well as tunes that are not usually played by quartets such as "In My Solitude." The two soloists, Jackson and Hazeltine explore the bluesier and moodier side of Ellington's music as well as ballads like "Warm Valley" and slightly more up-tempo tunes like "In a Sentimental Mood."

Tracks:

01. Caravan (Ellington, Mills, Tizol) 5:19
02. Warm Valley (Ellington) 6:29
03. In My Solitude (DeLange, Ellington, Mills) 5:54
04. Prelude to a Kiss (Ellington, Gordon, Mills) 7:10
05. Things Ain't What They Used to Be (Ellington~Mercer, Persons) 5:03
06. Chelsea Bridge (Strayhorn) 6:36
07. In a Mellow Tone (Ellington) 5:34
08. In a Sentimental Mood (Ellington) 7:02
09. Lotus Blossom (Strayhorn) 5:01

Personnel:

Javon Jackson (saxophone)
David Hazeltine (piano)
Tony Reedus (drums)
Paul Gill (bass)