Hues of a Different Blue

Bassist Rufus Reid has covered a lot of musical territory over his 40+ year career. He’s shared the stage with legends Gene Ammons, Kenny Dorham, Philly Joe Jones, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Dexter Gordon, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, and Art Farmer, among others; today he’s often associated with Lee Konitz, Roni Ben-Hur, Bob Mintzer, George Cables, Billy Hart, Bill Mays and Marvin Stamm, as well as his Out Front trio with pianist Steve Allee and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca. A busy educator, Reid has also been blazing trails as a composer with numerous awards and commissions.

A follow-up to their eponymous debut, Hues of a Different Blue expands Out Front with guests Toninho Horta (guitar), Bobby Watson (alto sax), J.D. Allen (tenor sax), and Freddie Hendrix (trumpet). With six originals from the leader, the new CD also includes compositions from Allee, Da Fonseca, Horta and Reid’s friend in Murfreesboro, TN, Don Aliquo, as well as a handful of standards. Said Reid, “…my goal was to feature the unique sound of the trio and the unique voice of each guest, in unexpected ways that would offer a new musical experience for each player, and an exciting new surprise for [the listener] as well.” Simply, Hues of a Different Blue meets this goal and then some, offering musical conversations in varying combinations, from duos to trios to quartets and the full ensemble.

Rufus Reid©Andrea Canter

Horta does figure significantly in the bright groove of Reid’s “When She Smiles Upon Your Face,” helping Reid and fellow countryman Da Fonseca to set the melody on samba fire. Horta solos with agile charm; the saxophonists (first Allen, then Watson) add lyrical momentum which culminates in Allee’s joyous solo, then all hit in unison, trumpeter Freddie Hendrix finally joining the frey and a closing shout. Also in the bossa vein, Reid’s “Mother and Child” was inspired by a sculpture, Allee’s and Horta’s soft lines enveloping the listener like a feather bed. 

Horta penned the lovely “Francisca,” the first of several duets on the set. This is all strings, with Horta’s gentle vocal accents floating above his exquisite guitar, and Reid soloing with assertive melodicism. On “These Foolish Things,” Reid’s solo bass intro leads into an elegant duet with Watson; bass and alto make a gorgeous harmonic pairing. Eubie Blake’s “Memories of You” puts Reid and Allee together, the long lines, slides and deep bass tones sounding the melody as Reid invites Allee to join in, creating new memories. 

Other tracks in quartet format include Don Aliquo’s nod to Strayhorn’s “Upper Manhattan Medical Group (UMMG),” titled “Lower Burellian Bicycle Loop,” featuring the twisty phrasing of J.D. Allen; Reid’s “The Eloquent One,” a tribute to Hank Jones, the eloquent one here being the songful Freddie Hendrix on flugelhorn. The core trio shines brightly on “Come Rain or Come Shine,” Reid’s bass solo starting it off mournfully before dropping into Allee’s swinging midtempo stroll. He spins another bass solo with a sputter-stop interlude from Allee, adding yet another bass solo before a last flourish from piano and percussion; Da Fonseca’s brushes serve as a constant reference point throughout.  On his own “Manhattan Style,” the drummer injects full-throttle energy into all corners of the trio, saving reserves for a wide-ranging percussion solo filled with resonant grace, shimmers, and mood-altering pulsations. 

The last trio tracks include Allee’s swaying “Summer’s Shadow,” glistening with the pianist’s own lyrical watercolors and Reid’s deep undertow; and Reid’s waltzing “I Can’t Explain,” an introspective and airy muse enhanced by the bassist’s melodic counterpoint and soloing, Allee’s songful voice and Da Fonseca’s soft supportive cushion.  

Reid’s title track finale brings back the horns for a last fling--a squealing commentary from Hendrix, an edgy retort from Allen, and a playful dare from Watson, ultimately devolving into a full sextet out-chorus of blistering blue.   

In any configuration, the musicians of Hues of a Different Blue paint with sure and complementary colors, the common denominator a leader who can bring out the beauty and timelessness of any composition, including his own. 
 

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