Blue, Ray
Jazzheads, 2023, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 29.2
Jazz Ruler Type: R&B+Jazz
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 88
O’s Notes: #People is saxophonist Ray Blue’s latest release. He leads a band that includes Eddie Allen (t), Kenny Barron (p), Essiet Okon Essiet (b) and Bobby Sanabria (perc). They take a Latin turn on “Fungii Mama”, add a taste of calypso on “Cross Continental Spirit”, and “Always With A Purpose”, then shine on classics like “Hard Times”. We also enjoyed “Dreamer”, “When Sunny Gets Blue”, and “We’ll Be Together Again”, a fine duet with bassist Essiet.
Publicist: Two for the Show Media
