Tete Montoliu - Groovin' High in Barcelona (2021)

In May 1988, Jerome Richardson (1920-2000) was touring Spain accompanied by the Tete Montoliu Trio. On their way through Barcelona, the quartet played in the old “Cova del Drac” club. Richardson’s alto and soprano sax performances with Tete’s trio sparked not only the enthusiasm of fans across the city, but also the interest of Fresh Sound Records. All four musicians happily agreed to set a recording session that took place on May 22 at the now-defunct studio Estudi Gema.

Richardson was a talented jazz improviser of the bop tradition, his passion for blowing was tempered only by the stringent discipline that emanated from his well-schooled musical mind. He was a sensitive balladeer as well as a virile swinger. His versatile yet consistent jazz style on alto was the result of different influences, from the clean tonality of the best altoists of the swing era, Willie Smith, Johnny Hodges and Benny Carter, through to the phrasing of Charlie Parker or even the fiery hard bop style of Cannonball Adderley and Phil Woods. Yet in the end, it all turns out to be individualistically Jerome Richardson.

His old friend pianist Tete Montoliu contributed his share of rewarding, sensitive, comping and rippling solos, and they complemented each other well, as Tete was always firm enough to keep up with Jerome, but also subtle and smooth enough to counteract him.

A stirring set full of truly high moments of very good solo work and a rhythm section with bassist Reggie Johnson and drummer Alvin Queen that, in addition to its flawless timekeeping, is pure energy and fire.