Feeling of Jazz

Mike LeDonne Quintet/Trio: Mike LeDonne (piano); Gary Smulyan (baritone saxophone); Tom Harrell (trumpet, flugelhorn); Dennis Irwin (bass); Kenny Washington (drums).
Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on January 2, 1990. Includes liner notes by Stuart Troup.
Personnel: Mike LeDonne (piano); Gary Smulyan (baritone saxophone); Tom Harrell (trumpet, flugelhorn); Kenny Washington (snare drum).
Recording information: 01/02/1990.
Pianist Mike LeDonne's second recording is most notable for the outstanding and contrasting playing of trumpeter Tom Harrell and baritonist Gary Smulyan. While Harrell is lyrical and melodic, Smulyan is forceful and swings quite hard. With bassist Dennis Irwin and drummer Kenny Washington offering stimulating support, the three lead voices are in top form. LeDonne contributed three fine originals and, other than the standard "My Ideal," the other four songs (Duke Pearson's "Ready Rudy?," Duke Ellington's "The Feeling of Jazz," Buddy Montgomery's "Bock to Bock," and Wynton Kelly's "Action") are all superior obscurities. Easily recommended to straight-ahead jazz fans. ~ Scott Yanow