Scotty Barnhart
has been a well-kept secret, though he has recorded with
Marcus Roberts
,
Rosemary Clooney
, and the
Count Basie
ghost band, while also being involved as a jazz educator at Florida State. This is his first album as a leader, and unlike many youngsters who prematurely rush into studios to make try to make a name for themselves,
Barnhart
is full of confidence, great musical ideas, and he's also more than willing to share the spotlight. His amusing New Orleans strut setting of
John Coltrane
's
"Giant Steps"
incorporates both traditional and modern elements, with an occasional whistle added for fun, to spice up some of the intricate interplay. His muted horn is delightful in his infectious gospel tune
"Say It Plain."
utilizes the flumpet (a hybrid of trumpet and fluegelhorn, made popular by the late
Art Farmer
) in his soulful
"Haley's Passage,"
which also showcases guitarist
Rick Lollar
and soprano saxophonist
Todd Williams
.
"Jnana"
is a driving hard bop tune that would have been welcomed by other bands if it had only been available during the 1960s. There are several notable guests as well.
Clark Terry
adds his trumpet and a hilarious vocal to the likely improvised blues
"Pay Me My Money,"
while
"Con Alma"
adds
Wynton Marsalis
and pianist
Bruce Barth
Roberts
joins his former sideman on piano on several tracks, while
Ellis Marsalis
is also a welcome guest. Hopefully,
won't wait too long for a follow-up recording to his excellent, long-awaited debut CD. ~ Ken Dryden