Long live West Coast Jazz!
author: Allen Minton
I enjoyed this album greatly. This is real comfort music for those of us who grew up in the LA area during the fifties and sixties and hung around clubs like the Lighthouse and Shelly's Mannhole. Thanks so much to Mr. Babad and his colleagues for keeping the tradition alive and well. Every track is delightful, but my personal favorite is "When Sunny Gets Blue" -- a lovely samba treatment with outstanding solos by all players.
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A Treasure
author: Mark Cartiglia
On this CD, Bruce Babad and his band pay homage to the amazing Paul Desmond. First, kudos to Babad for paying tribute to a sometimes overlooked jazz giant. Every track here is terrific. On Gerry Mulligan’s “Line for Lyons”, the band really swings, with Babad’s playful alto sax clearly front-and-center. The dreamy “When Sunny Gets Blue” gets the bossa nova treatment and sounds superb, with Larry Koonse’s smooth, classy guitar honoring Desmond’s favorite bandmate Jim Hall with every note. Fred Rogers’ “It’s You I Like” is as gorgeous a melody as you’re likely to hear any time soon, and Babad’s playing is as beautiful as the song. Other highlights include “Wendy”, a lovely tune penned by Desmond himself. And I can’t neglect to mention Babad’s own “Jan” and “B-A-B-A-D”, both of which sound like they are jazz standards you’ve heard a hundred times even if it’s your first listen. The band is terrific throughout. Drummer Steve Barnes recalls Connie Kay’s cool, never rushed style, Ed Czach’s piano captures the mood perfectly and Luther Hughes’ bass is just right. As for Babad himself, he absolutely shines throughout the recording. To his credit, Babad doesn’t seek to mimic Desmond. Rather he honors Desmond’s distinctive lyrical, never-hurried sound, without abandoning his own good-natured, oft-quoting, spirited style. Five stars for an outstanding CD!
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Bravo Bruce Babad
author: Monica Lee
What a beautiful tribute! Under the masterful skills of the Grammy-nominated saxophonist, Bruce Babad, the album is a musical treasure! Attention to detail and nuance is moving and will inspire listeners of all levels and ages. This is a superb ensemble. Bravo! I will enjoy listening to your talent for a very long time.
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Sweet Tribute to a Master
author: Mark Barbour
The greatest tribute to a master like Desmond is not to worship note for note, but to absorb and interpret afresh in your own work. This sums up Bruce’s album for me, jazz that can easily remain in the background to be enjoyed in the company of friends; but each song begs to be heard individually, pulling you into the artistic tapestry that Bruce so deftly weaves with his sax. Bruce's quartet brings a mature sound to this straight-ahead jazz; you are in the hands of underrated masters in our local SoCal jazz scene. This is a cd that will remain on my Ipod’s shuffle rotation for some time to come.
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