AUSTRALIA: Andrew Scott Quartet - The Brightest Minute

 

Bebop lives in the hands of these four musicians dedicated to the American musical traditions of the 1940s and 50s. Recorded live off-the-floor in a Toronto studio, this recording demonstrates that spontaneity and creativity can easily materialize when fine musicians with shared sensibilities join forces on a fertile set of traditionally-based material. Reminiscent of Barney Kessel's work with Hampton Hawes or Jimmy Raney's output with Sonny Clark, Scott focuses largely on single-note lines placed over a swinging piano trio for impressive results. There is no doubting the authenticity and deep commitment to the tenets of tone, taste and good time that all of the musicians evidence here. Following up on recorded ensemble work done with Harry Allen, Randy Sandke, Gene DiNovi, Dan Block and Jon-Erik Kellso, Scott has assembled an ensemble of his colleagues for this outing that includes his longstanding trumpet partner Jake Wilkinson, heard here on piano. The result is a relaxed and swinging blowing session with just enough familiarity in play for everyone to stretch out in comfortable musical surroundings.