George Coleman's resume is the stuff of legend. He cut his jazz teeth alongside some giants of the art form, joining Max Roach's ensemble in the 1950s, the Miles Davis Quintet, along with the bands of Herbie Hancock, Chet Baker and Elvin Jones. Mention must also be made of his work as a leader, which has inspired literally generations of saxophonists. Even with such an all-inclusive career, Coleman is still full of surprises and here on his new recording he gives his audience something they've never heard from him before - his first recording backed by a string orchestra. If you're into jazz history, you know this kind of project has some serious roots. Think Charlie Parker's "With Strings," or Stan Getz's "Focus"-albums where sax players let their lyrical side shine through lush orchestral arrangements. Coleman Hawkins did it. Ben Webster, too. Now, George Coleman joins the club, and it was certainly worth the wait. So why strings, and why now? Because Coleman is still growing. Still reaching. He's telling you a story he's been holding onto for years. This project isn't just another notch in his belt-it's a gift, plain and simple. An autumnal gem from a living legend, it gives us all a new way to hear George Coleman-still pushing boundaries, still playing from the heart.
Many of us old-timers remember George “Big G” Coleman in the late 50s and 60s performing with almost every single legendary name in that golden era of American jazz, a.o. Miles Davis. Coleman who turns 90 this year is still going strong and surrounds himself with the elite artists of younger generation including the leader of this album Brian Charette (Hammond-B3).
This album can be seen as the sequel to 2018’s “Groovin’ With Big G” (SCCD 31857) again with Charette in charge of keeping the music flowing.
“This is a mellow date, a blowing date to be sure but Charette’s B-3 rarely goes the funk route and is closer to Wild Bill Davis. Coleman’s tenor is as strong as ever and while not aggressive, it is still forceful.” (Papathomas on SCCD 31857)
The 5th album in the Smalls Living Masters series finds tenor titan George Coleman in the company of pianist Spike Wilner, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Joe Farnsworth in the intimate confines of Smalls Jazz Club. In the words of George Coleman "this record is a tribute to our great city and all of our great fans." Coleman is on fire and sound better than ever!
One of jazz's most powerful tenor saxophonists is heard at his freewheeling, unfettered best on The George Coleman Quintet in Baltimore, a hitherto unheard live recording from the Famous Ballroom in Baltimore, Maryland in 1971. It's a hard swinging and free wheeling, a style George Coleman was known for!
