Mike Fageros - Booker Ervin Tribute (2011)

Tracklist

01. Just Friends
02. Den Tex
03. Stella by Starlight
04. Take Five (Alt Take)
05. Nicas Dream
06. Midnite Tippin'
07. Voyage



When guitarist Mike Fageros hooked up with Hammond Organist Booker Patterson and Drummer Marion Booker (previously on Cookbook w/George Benson), the musicians decided to pay "Hommage to tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin". Booker Ervin hailed from Texas as does Mike Fageros so they decided on two tracks that Booker Ervin made famous.

The first is a cut from the "Tex Book Tenor" CD by Booker Ervin entitled "Den Tex", which basically is an abbreviation for "Denton Texas" about 30 miles north of Dallas on Interstate 35 where the North Texas University is located. North Texas University has always had the reputation for being one of the best if not "the best" colleges for aspiring jazz musicians. Little wonder that Booker Ervin hailed from there before he made his trek up to "The Big Apple".

Secondarily, Guitarist Mike Fageros plays another Booker Ervin tune that was the title track of one of Booker Ervin's CD'S entitled "Just Friends". Even though Mike Fageros and Booker Ervin come from different periods of jazz, there is a deep undertone and connection between the two artists.

Regarding the first cut, "Den Tex", the trumpeter that Ervin chose for his session was none other than Woody Shaw. You can hear some of the nuances of Ervin and Shaw in Mike Fageros' solo, weaving in and out during the descending chromatic dominant thirtheent chords. As well, you can hear the post modern bop influences of Ervin and Shaw in Hammond Organist Booker Patterson's playing and the steady bop feel from drummer Marion Booker. Marion had as well performed with Hammond Organists Lonnie Smith on the "Think" CD (Blue Note) and with Jimmy McGriff on "Groove Grease".

The CD is rounded out in the same tradition as Ervin did with some solid "Standards" in the form of an up tempo version of "Stella" including an "Ervinesque" version of Brubeck's "Take Five" with some excellent "going out" as Booker Ervin would have. Bonus tracks of Kenny Baron's "Voyage" and Horace Silver's "Nica's Dream" along with Tipper Mike Fageros title track "Midnite Tippin" from the Midnite Tippin CD are also included in this exciting CD.

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