Walton, Cedar
High Note, 2011, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 17.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Swing
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: Veteran jazz pianist Cedar Walton still has his stuff at 77 years old. Listen to him sprint effortlessly through the changes on “Lament” for a prime example. Cedar plays a prominent role but not to the exclusion of his talented accompaniment. Vincent Herring takes the spotlight on “Bell For Bags” on sax and then on flute for “Halo”. Ray Mantilla’s work on congas give a bossa nova feel to “Underground Memoirs” before drummer Willie Jones III and bassist David Williams shine on “Willie’s Groove”. Walton wrote the bulk of the material and they are solid pieces especially “The Bouncer” with Herring and Steve Turret (tb) handling the melody.
Publicist: Jazz Depot