Bridging The Gap

Jazz | Nov 2009

Reviews

Fo
Reviewed 2009-12-06
STAFFORD–OATTS QUINTET: Bridging the Gap
Planet Arts, 2009

BOP – This straight up, highly enjoyable mainstream jazz date is delivered in classic style. One of the most underappreciated trumpeters around, Terell Stafford makes every track glow while Dick Oatts (who wrote most of the tunes) brings finely etched complexity on alto sax. And dig rising-star Gerald Clayton’s flawless touch on piano. Nice.

Terell Stafford - trumpet, flugelhorn
Dick Oatts - alto sax
Gerald Clayton - piano
Ben Williams - bass
Rodney Green - drums

* * * * | Fo’s Picks: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9

1. 6:55 – bright modern-bop walk: twirling sax solo, warm trumpet, nice bass
2. 5:07 – uptempo glide: agile trumpet blazes the path, piano shines
3. 7:20 – ballad: gorgeous piano intro, achingly tender trumpet, soft sax
4. 7:21 – propulsive, tricky but swinging, with a nice round of lilting solos
5. 7:30 – midtempo ballad with a breezy swing; lightly tripping solos all around
6. 7:48 – the only standard, and it flies: trumpet & piano solos especially tasty
7. 6:21 – sweet, serene ballad/tone poem: billows with surging emotion; lovely
8. 1:13 – thoughtful bass solo, introduction to…
9. 8:33 – warm, marching horns over a catchy rhythmic groove. Optimistic.

[ Fo ] 12/06/09

Recent airplay

Time To Let Go
The Rent PartyJan 29, 2010
J.C.O. Farewell
Music CasseroleJan 23, 2010
Three For Five
No Cover, No MinimumJan 22, 2010
Bridging The Gap
Meant For You
The Gumdrop Freight TrainJan 19, 2010
Time To Let Go
No Cover, No MinimumJan 08, 2010

Charting

2009-12-06 — 2010-02-07 Jazz
Week EndingAirplays
Jan 31 1
Jan 24 4
Jan 10 1
Jan 3 1
Dec 20 1
Dec 13 1

Track listing

1. Bridging The Gap
2. Time To Let Go
3. Meant For You
4. Three For Five
5. Salvador's Space
6. I Love You
7. J.C.O. Farewell
8. Ben's Beginning
9. The 6/20/09 Express