Harrell, Tom
High Note, 2007, CD
Instrument: Trumpet
Issue: 13.4
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 5
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: Tom (t) leads a quintet through nine new compositions. Harrell trades leads with Wayne Escoffery (tenor sax) challenging him for superiority. Wayne is edgy and Tom more on the mellow side. The interaction is great and it leads to some cool and juicy sounds. Danny Grissett (p), Uginna Okegwo (b) and Jonathan Blake (d) provide a fresh funky backdrop. Tom’s last recording was 2003’s Wise Children and based on what we hear on Light On, the ‘sabbatical’ was well worth it. We liked it all especially “Bad Stuff”, “Va”, “Contrary Mary” and the swinging Latin feel of “The Gronk”.
Publicist: Jazz Depot
