Multi-instrumentalist
Ira Sullivan
spent a good while working around Chicago before leaving for Florida in the early '60s, though he retained a significant fan base in his old hometown. This live recording made in 2010 over four nights at
Joe Segal
's Jazz Showcase is a reunion, featuring vibraphonist
Stu Katz
, who while in his teens had regularly sat in with
Sullivan
over a half-century earlier before pursuing a law career. Joining them in the rhythm section are pianist
Dan Trudell
, bassist
Dennis Carroll
, and drummer
George Fludas
, the latter two who have played often with
for years. Starting off with a bluesy hard bop original, "Blues Two Views," the leader offers some sinewy muted trumpet, followed by strong features for
Katz
and
Trudell
before the leader returns with a vibrato-filled tenor solo.
switches to alto sax for an expressive, offbeat take of "Pennies from Heaven" (in which
switches to piano) and plays soprano sax with equal authority in a moody rendition of "Lullaby of the Leaves" and a driving "Yesterdays" (the latter featuring vocalist
Lucia Newell
's buoyant scat solo).
Stu
's son
Steve
takes over on bass for a breezy run-through of "Take the 'A' Train," with the vibist shining in the lead before
makes his explosive entrance on tenor. The attentive audience obviously enjoyed the reunion as much as the players on-stage, yet another fine example of memorable music documented at the longtime Chicago nightspot. ~ Ken Dryden