Bunky Green - Another Place
Artist: Bunky Green
Title: Another Place
Label: Label Bleu
Catalog Number: 7-9488-81112-0
Reviewed by Mark F. Turner
While many saxophonists cite names like John Coltrane and Charlie Parker as sources of inspiration, there are lesser-known musicians who have also made an impact on their development. One such person is alto saxophonist Bunky Green who has been called a "musician's musician" and has performed with jazz greats - pianist Andrew Hill, bassist Charles Mingus, and influenced younger jazz sax icons such as Greg Osby and Steve Coleman (who also produced this recording). If you've ever listened closely to Osby and Coleman's recordings, you'll hear Green’s voice in the shadows.
From obscure releases as leader to a respected career as both a musician and educator, Green thankfully resurfaces after many years with Another Place, finding him with notable young admirers - the sensational pianist Jason Moran and a stalwart rhythm section of rising stars - bassist Lonnie Plaxico and drummer Nasheet Waits. Though the music can be categorized as mainstream jazz, there is nothing ordinary about their abilities and inspiration drawn from Green whose skills at 70+ years are still formidable and a style that is like a hummingbird's flight pattern – darting, rapid, and spontaneous.
The pairing of Moran with Green fits together nicely, giving wide spaces for Green's avant-garde solos and Moran's usual outré piano performance. The title song "Another Place" speaks with buoyant rhythms and a lingering melody. The hard bopping pursuance of "Tune X" and "Be" show the younger musicians matching Green with blistering and multi-hued playing. But it is when things slow down, on the timeless ballad "Soul Eyes," that the mastery of Green's voice is quietly exposed as he plays with such deep emotion and feeling that the listener may well indeed be transported to a another time and place.
Track Listing: It Could Happen To You; With All Of My Love; Another Place; Tune X; Be; Soul Eyes.
Personnel: Bunky Green: alto saxophone; Jason Moran: piano; Lonnie Plaxico:bass; Nasheet Waits:drums.
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