New Year Promises Slew of First-Rate Recordings

Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray burning up “The Chase,” Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt locking horns on “Blues Up and Down”--these are two examples of classic musical collaborations between ace tenor saxophonists.

The teaming up of Joe Lovano, perhaps the top young veteran tenorman, and Joshua Redman, the hottest rising star of the saxophone, promises to be another timeless matchup. On Lovano’s “Tenor Legacy,” the pair play tunes such as “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing,” Monk’s “Introspection” and David Raksin’s “Laura.” The album, due out next month from Blue Note, features a crack rhythm section of pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Lewis Nash. It’s but one of what promises to be many first-rate releases in the first few months of 1994.

Things get rolling this month with the Contemporary Piano Ensemble’s “The Key Players” (DIW), a project devised by pianist James Williams that is dedicated to the late Phineas Newborn Jr. and that finds that Memphis native performing in a four-piano group that also includes Harold Mabern, Mulgrew Miller and Geoff Keezer.

Then there’s the elder statesman of piano, Hank Jones, making a rare appearance with his younger brother, drummer Elvin Jones, on “Upon Reflection” (Verve), which spotlights the music of yet another Jones, their late great brother, trumpeter and composer Thad.

McCoy Tyner’s “Journey” (Verve) is the big band follow to his Grammy winner of last year, “The Turning Point.” Due out this month, “Journey” is highlighted by a remake of the splendid Tyner composition “Peresina,” which fans of the pianist recall from his outstanding late ‘60s Blue Note album “Tender Moments.”

In February, you can look for a new session by bassist Charlie Haden’s Quartet West, as the leader, pianist Alan Broadbent, saxman Ernie Watts and drummer Larance Marable continue their investigation of music of the ‘40s and ‘50s, such as Bud Powell’s “Celia,” as well as contemporary originals. Also set for February release is English saxophonist Andy Sheppard’s Blue Note debut, “Rhythm Method,” an album that showcases ace trumpeter Claude Deppa on distinctive, rhythmically punchy numbers by Sheppard.

Brazilian singer-composer Milton Nascimento’s “Angelus” (Warner Bros.) will also hit the streets in February. The album features cameos from saxman Wayne Shorter, pianist Herbie Hancock and singers James Taylor and Peter Gabriel. Also in a Brazilian vein is Sarah Vaughan’s “I Love Brazil,” a long unavailable Pablo album finally being reissued, and including two bonus tracks.

Pianists Kenny Barron and Tommy Flanagan both have Verve releases on the schedule. Barron’s “Other Places” spotlights vibist Bobby Hutcherson and tenorist Ralph Moore, while Flanagan’s “Lady Be Good . . . For Ella” is a tribute to Fitzgerald, by the pianist who served as her accompanist for many years.

March marks releases by Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, the Miles Davis Tribute band and John Scofield and Pat Metheny.

Marsalis’ Columbia album, which remains untitled, will be the saxophonist’s version of a hip-hop/jazz album, with input from pianist Kenny Kirkland, drummer Jeff (Tain) Watts and rapper DJ Premier from the group Gangstar. In contrast, Blanchard will explore an earlier era on “In My Solitude: The Billie Holiday Songbook” (Columbia), his fat, sassy trumpet tone accompanied by a string section.

Another look at jazz past, but with a modern viewpoint, will be “A Tribute to Miles Davis” (Qwest/Reprise), featuring Shorter, Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Tony Williams--who all played with Davis at one time--and trumpeter Wallace Roney.

Critic’s Choice: Benny Green comes to town next week, appearing at Santa Monica College at noon on Tuesday, and beginning a six-day stand at Catalina Bar & Grill that night. As he’ll be working with bass great Christian McBride and drummer Kenny Washington, expect nothing less than first-rate trio jazz.