Light On

by Tom Harrell

Overview

As correctly stated in the liner notes by Neil Tesser, Tom Harrell's music takes several listens to fully appreciate, for there is much to discover. For Light On, his first recording as a leader in four years, Harrell contributed all of the compositions. His pieces utilize original chord changes (none are mere run-throughs of rhythm changes), complex but often somewhat catchy melodies, dynamics and subtle surprises. Only the augmented blues "Bleu Caribe," a change of pace, would work at a jam session. Harrell's cool-toned trumpet and flugelhorn contrast well with Wayne Escoffery's muscular tenor; the rhythm section is heated and stimulating; and Danny Grissett is equally effective on both the acoustic piano and the Fender Rhodes. All of the musicians are in top form, which is fortunate since these pieces are not that simple to play. Several of the originals deserve to be adopted and interpreted by other musicians. Overall, Light On is a superior set of modern jazz. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	06/26/2007
Label:	Highnote Records
UPC:	0632375717124
Rank:	182128

Tracks

1. Va
2. Sky Life
3. Contrary Mary
4. Fountain
5. Nights at Catalonia
6. The Gronk
7. Architect of Time
8. Bad Stuff
9. Blue Caribe
10. Va

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Tom Harrell   Primary Artist,Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Danny Grissett   Piano,Fender Rhodes
Wayne Escoffery   Sax (Tenor)
Ugonna Okegwo   Bass

Technical Credits

Rudy Van Gelder   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering
Tom Harrell   Composer
Maureen Sickler   Assistant Engineer
Roy Gumpel   Photography
Keiji Obata   Design
Neil Tesser   Liner Notes
Joe Fields   Executive Producer
Don Sickler   Producer