John Hicks is heard with his working trio on what is likely his final recording, made two months to the day prior to his unexpected death. With bassist Buster Williams and drummer Louis Hayes, also seasoned veterans and bandleaders themselves, the set list for this well-recorded studio session is a hard bop lover's feast, drawing from both familiar and less frequently heard repertoire. Hicks throws quite a few curves into Gigi Gryce's "Minority" by tossing in a few vamps then getting right to business with improvising ...
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John Hicks is heard with his working trio on what is likely his final recording, made two months to the day prior to his unexpected death. With bassist Buster Williams and drummer Louis Hayes, also seasoned veterans and bandleaders themselves, the set list for this well-recorded studio session is a hard bop lover's feast, drawing from both familiar and less frequently heard repertoire. Hicks throws quite a few curves into Gigi Gryce's "Minority" by tossing in a few vamps then getting right to business with improvising rather than bothering to offer a chorus of its theme, with Williams' fleet bassline and Hayes' brushwork powering him in full flight. The leader's sole original is a salute to Cedar Walton, an upbeat piece called "As Birds Fly (Walton's Mountain)" in which the musicians easily scale its heights. The bassist contributed two originals, including the lush, somewhat moody "Strivers Jewels" and the delicate tribute to his then-young niece "Christina." Hayes is an asset throughout the recording, particularly standing out in the powerful interpretation of Dexter Gordon's "Cheesecake." John Hicks was clearly at the top of his game at the end of his life, and this final recording adds an important chapter to his recorded legacy. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi
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Seller's Description:
Good. No packaging as issued. Originally released: 2007. MUSIC CD s (101113CDVD) PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL DESCRIPTION CAREFULLY: This sale is for (SET OF 1 MUSIC CD s). THIS USED DISC CONTAINS VISIBLE SCRATCHES) Disc Case is (Good) Tab s Cover (good) Discs Holding tab is (Good). This case is may be Missing Cover pamphlet. Disc contains have some Marking Apply ON the Discs or on the case. If you received the item and you are not at most 65% satisfied with this item, return the item.
