Peterson, Ralph
Onyx Music, 2021, CD
Instrument: Drums
Issue: 27.2
Jazz Ruler Type: Kool
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 83
O’s Notes: Drummer, Ralph Peterson was a confident, inspiring bandleader who was forever in touch with current events. Raise Up Off Me was his final recording and he is as vibrant as ever making his presence known throughout the set and keeping a steady pace for his band. Young lions Zaccai Curtis (keyboards) , Luques Curtis (b) and Eguie Castillo (congas, perc) keep the rhythm fierce. We liked the calypso beats of “Blue Hughes”, “Jodi”, and the soft touch from vocalist Jazzmeia Horn on “Naima’s Love Song”. There’s a strong effort from Zaccai but again Peterson leaves us remembering that he’s always a prominent piece of the landscape. RIP.
Publicist: Lydia Liebman Promotions
