muzycy:
Billy Harper - tenor saxophone
Eddie Henderson - trumpet
Francesca Tanksley - piano
Clarence Seay - bass
Newman Taylor Baker - drums
Editor's Info:
Billy Harper (b. 1943) is one of the most prominent figures in todays jazz scene. He rose to his stardom through his stints with Gil Evans Orchestra, Art… Blakeys Jazz Messengers and the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra. Harper started leading his own group in the late 70s and has been touring all over the world with his group since.
Of this New York studio recording Chinyére Nealé wrote in the linernotes, Nils Winther of SteepleChase has wanted to record Billy for fifteen years. Finally, destiny has made this recording possible.
French magazine compact described this album as a real treasure which will bring you pleasure till the last day of your life.
allmusic.com
On tenor saxophonist Billy Harper's Steeplechase debut, he and his working band of trumpeter Eddie Henderson, pianist Francesca Tanksley, bassist Clarence Seay, and drummer Newman Taylor Baker perform six originals, five written by Harper, and the oft-played standard "My Funny Valentine," played here a little faster than usual. A veteran of groups led by jazz greats Art.… Blakey, Max Roach, Randy Weston, Gil Evans, and Lee Morgan, the vastly under-recognized Harper is a master tenor saxophonist who has developed a unique sound on his chosen instrument, sometimes very passionate, sometimes very lyrical. His compositions, characterized by shifting tempos and themes played over insistent vamps, always have a spiritual, uplifting quality to them. Highlights include the title track, a medium-tempo waltz, Tanksley's "Dance in the Question," which alternates between an up-tempo 4/4 and a slower 3/4 section, and Harper's "Groove From Heaven," a medium-tempo swinger which alternates between a descending Harper riff and a six-note bass vamp. This is a perfect introduction to the artist's music.
by Greg Turner