Jay Hoggard - Overview (1989)

After years of playing avant-garde jazz and post-bop music, Jay Hoggard returned to the straight-ahead bop-oriented tradition with this CD. On "Put on a Happy Face," a swinging "Blues Bags," and a medium-tempo version of Thelonious Monk's "Ruby, My Dear," Hoggard emulates Milt Jackson a bit. He also sounds quite comfortable playing Afro-Cuban jazz on "Aguacate" and his solos on the two other swinging originals is very much hard bop, although never overly predictable. Pianist Geri Allen, sounding more conservative than usual, is nevertheless still a stimulating soloist and accompanist, with bassist Ed Rozie and drummer Frederick Waits keeping the music swinging and moving. This out of print CD serves as a fine introduction to Jay Hoggard, and may lead listeners to seek out his earlier and more adventurous recordings. -- Scott Yanow