Pink Elephant Magic

by Joanne Brackeen

Overview

Joanne Brackeen's 22nd recording as a leader, this CD is one of her best overall recordings due to the high-quality material, the unpredictable arrangements, the variety, and the exciting and inventive solos by the pianist and her sidemen. Brackeen creates a tender version of Dave Brubeck's "Strange Meadowlark" unaccompanied, uses bassist John Patitucci and drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez on of all the other selections, and is joined by trumpeter Nicholas Payton on three songs and Chris Potter (on tenor and soprano) on those three plus one other. In addition, Kurt Elling sings the eccentric "What's Your Choice, Rolls Royce" and soprano saxophonist Dave Liebman is a guest on two numbers. The young giant, Potter, in particular, excels among the supporting cast. All ten selections (seven of which are the leader's originals) have their colorful moments, particularly the whimsical "Pink Elephant Magic," a trio exploration of Jobim's "Wave," the very wide-ranging "Beethoven Meets the Millennium in Spain" and a heated version of "Tico Tico" in 5/4 time. The music is quite unpredictable but joyful and ultimately logical. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	03/16/1999
Label:	Arkadia Jazz
UPC:	0602267037128
Rank:	99818

Tracks

1. Pink Elephant Magic
2. Ghost Butter
3. Wave
4. What's Your Choice, Rolls Royce?
5. Beethoven Meets the Millennium in Spain
6. Strange Meadowlark
7. Tico-Tico
8. In Vogue
9. Cram 'N Exam
10. Filene's

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Joanne Brackeen   Primary Artist,Piano
Kurt Elling   Guest Artist,Vocals
Chris Potter   Guest Artist,Sax (Soprano),Sax (Tenor)
David Liebman   Guest Artist,Sax (Soprano)
John Patitucci   Guest Artist,Bass
Nicholas Payton   Guest Artist,Trumpet
Jamey Haddad   Percussion
Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez   Drums

Technical Credits

Antonio Carlos Jobim   Composer
Greg Griffith   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Ervin Drake   Composer
Dennis Wall   Mixing,Engineer
Dave Brubeck   Composer
Gene Martin   Photography
Jose Abreu   Composer
R. Andrew Lepley   Photography
Aloysio Oliveira   Composer
Bret Primack   Liner Notes
Gregory Downer   Design
Joanne Brackeen   Composer
Gene Paul   Mastering
Bob Karcy   Executive Producer,Mastering,Producer,Mixing