Morgan, Frank
High Note, 2004, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 10.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 5
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: Morgan is joined by his long time piano partner, George Cables along with Billy Hart (d) and Chris Lundy (b). They open this collection of jazzy bop, blues and ballads with Frank blowing a melancholy sax on “Georgia On My Mind” with a dazzling piano solo from George Cables as well. Morgan follows with a blistering lead line on “Cherokee” showing his own dexterity and including rapid-fire exchanges with Hart. He makes his sax sing on “All Blues” displaying elements that place him among the best sax men in the business. They picked eight strong songs and left no emotions at home. Frank has had lots of trauma in his 70 years; from heroine addiction to jail to a stroke, and he has come back with a vengeance after a 7 year hiatus from the studios to give us something special. This set at The Jazz Standard is all the way live! If we need to wait another 7+ years for a recording of equal merit, it will be worth it.
