Herman, Benjamin
Roach Records, 2010, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 16.4
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: Forget the title this is not an ordinary holiday album. In fact there are no carols to be found! They open with a bop tune, the title track. Then they switch directions with “Broziman” a cool tune with an English rock and roll bent. Ruben Hein sings “De Sprong O Romantiek Der Haze” shadowed by Herman’s warm sax. This is the music of Misha Mengelberg performed by Bernard Herman and his band. Misha believed in improvising and stepping outside of the lines for fun. We get that spirit here in spades. It is all centered on a hard bop tip and Herman shines throughout. Other highlights are “Rollo III” and “Blues After Peit”.
Publicist: Braithwaite & Katz