“One of the elder statesmen of the hard-bop genre and one of the true living legends of jazz piano.” – Joel Roberts, All About Jazz  Cedar Walton One of the famed alumni of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Cedar Walton is one of the most acclaimed—and busy—pianists of his generation. This week, Walton takes the stage at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola (Jazz at Lincoln Center) with a quintet of sidemen that would make any bandleader drool—Steve Turre, Vincent Herring, David Williams and Lewis Nash.
Taught piano by his mother in his native Dallas, Cedar Walton studied music at the University of Denver before moving to New York in 1955. The Army became his first significant gig, however, and his early bandmates while stationed in Germany included Leo Wright, Don Ellis, and Eddie Harris. After returning to New York, he recorded and/or played with Keny Dorham, J.J. Johnson, the Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet and John Coltrane (Giant Steps)in the late 50s and early 60s. He became a Jazz Messenger in 1961, joining Wayne Shorter and Freddie Hubbard for three years. In the mid to late 60s, we worked as Abbey Lincoln’s accompanist, recorded with Art Farmer, Hank Mobley, Pat Martino, Charles McPherson and Lee Morgan, and served as “house pianist” for Prestige Records. He also co-lead a bop quartet with saxmen Clifford Jordan, George Coleman, or Ralph Moore; bassists Sam Jones or David Williams, and drummer Billy Higgins, an ensemble that became Eastern Rebellion in 1975. Also in the mid 70s, Walton rejoined Blakey for a tour of Japan and again recorded with Art Farmer. During the mid 70s, Walton also headed Mobius and Soundscapes, experimenting with electric piano and funk grooves. Over the past two decades, he has continued touring and recording with his trio, appearing on the Muse, Evidence, Steeplechase, Verve, and now High Note labels. His most recent release, One Flight Down (High Note, 2007), highlights not only his great hard bop chops but also Walton’s underappreciated legacy as a composer of tunes such as “One Flight Down” and “The Rubber Man.”  Vincent Herring Vincent Herring played sax at West Point in the U.S. Military Band. Dubbed a “Young Lion” in the early 80s, he toured with the Lionel Hampton Band before his big break with Nat Adderley's band, displaying a style in the vein of Nat’s brother, Cannonball. Regarding his current place in Louis Hayes’ Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band, Jazz Times (November 2002) noted that he has “formidable technique and the appropriately aggressive attitude to put it over. Like Adderley, Herring tells a story when he plays, quotes other songs in his solos…and always plays hip turnarounds at the ends of his phrases.”  Steve Turre Versatile bassist David Williams has played and recorded with a diverse Whos’ Who in American jazz—Slide Hampton, Warne Marsh, Kenny Barron, Art Pepper, David Hazeltine and often with Cedar Walton.  Lewis Nash Now 73, Cedar Walton is as prolific and engaging as ever. Hard bop with sheer elegance will rise from the stage at Dizzy’s against the always impressive Central Park Skyline when the Cedar Walton Quintet sits in, August 7-12. Dizzy’s is located at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Time Warner complex at Columbus Circle in Manhattan. Two sets each night, 7:30 & 9:30 pm, additional 11:30 pm sets on Friday and Saturday. Visit www.jalc.org |
Friday, 04 July 2008
