The Jazz Expressions is a high octane quartet which tours world-wide and records with the legendary singer Little Jimmy Scott. The idea behind this cd is for Jimmy's touring band to finally have their own recording. All of the members demonstrate great composition skills, solo capabilities, and superb musicianship. Utilizing their long experience as a unit, the group has produced this highly polished album of new songs with inspired melodies and arrangements. The band consists of bassist and music director Hilliard "Hill" Greene, saxophonist Bruce Williams, pianist Mike Kanan, and drummer Victor Jones. The opening song, Mike Kanan's "Blues for Yard" is a classic hard bop blues written for Hilliard "Yard" Greene, and not Charlie Parker, as most jazz fans would assume. It sets the pace for what is to come. "Stephanie's Song" is an exquisite ballad played beautifully by it's composer, Mike Kanan. Hill Greene's "M.R.I.P." is dedicated to the great pianist Mercedes Rossy who died all too young. "Ichi Woda" by saxophonist Bruce Williams is one of the band's favorite numbers and demonstrates their high level of excitement and intensity. Mike Kanan's "Su City" is a swinging tune with clever use of sophisticated harmony. "Jah-Bop" was originally written by Hill Greene to close their live shows, but the audiences' great responses has caused it to become one of the openers. "Arrival" celebrates the birth of Mr. Williams' son, Elijah. "105 Plus Tax" and "Downsizing" display the band's versatility and how effortlessly they can go from one dynamic level to another. Hill Greene's "Iono" starts out as an unaccompanied bass solo with a classical tone and then sets up a Latin groove for the band's entrance. The cd closes with two Victor Jones tunes in a Latin vein - "Anya's Intuition" and "Boosee", which showcase Jones' expansive musicianship and Bruce Williams' soprano saxophone. (Bruce Williams appears courtesy of Savant Records)
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