LARRY GOLDINGS: Caminhos Cruzados (1994)

LARRY GOLDINGS
Larry Goldings sabe usar, como poucos, os recursos do órgão, um instrumento "perigoso" (tal como o seu "primo" - o acordeão): se o organista não regular seus registros adequadamente, o som produzido pode ser fatal para ouvidos apurados. Larry já tocou com todos os gigantes do Jazz, o que lhe garante um atestado de "bons antecedentes"...
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LARRY GOLDINGS
Larry Goldings (born in Boston, Massachussets, 1968) is an American jazz pianist, organist, and composer. His father was a classical music enthusiast, and Larry studied classical piano until the age of twelve. In high school he attended a program at the Eastman School of Music. During this period Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson, Dave McKenna, Red Garland, and Bill Evans were prime influences. As a young teenager, Larry studied privately with Ran Blake and Keith Jarrett. Larry moved to New York in 1986 to attend a newly formed jazz program under the leadership of Arnie Lawrence at The New School. During college he studied piano with Jaki Byard and Fred Hersch. While still a freshman, Sir Roland Hanna invited Larry to accompany him to a three-day private jazz party in Copenhagen. While there, Larry met jazz legends Sarah Vaughan, Kenny Burrell, Tommy Flanagan, and Hank Jones; and he also played piano in a band with Sarah Vaughan, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Al Cohn. While still a college student, he embarked on a worldwide tour with Jon Hendricks and worked with him for a year. A collaboration lasting almost three years with jazz guitar legend Jim Hall followed.In 1988, Larry began his development as an organist during a regular gig at a pianoless bar called Augie's (now Smoke) on New York's Upper West Side. He was featured with several bands, and his own trio with guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Bill Stewart got its start there. Larry's melodic style of organ playing has often been compared to that of Larry Young. On organ, Larry cites as his first inspirations the solo piano style of Dave McKenna "who walks his own bass lines better than anyone" and Billy Preston accompanying Aretha Franklin on "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Other influences were the Wes Montgomery records featuring Mel Rhyne and Jimmy Smith; Shirley Scott; Chester Thompson; Joe Zawinul; and Jack McDuff.1 Among jazz enthusiasts, Larry's organ trio with Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart has been recognized for charting new ground, with the musicians' synergistic playing and their hard-swinging, yet very thoughtful, music. Larry is a composer, arranger, and producer of music. His music reflects a wide listening palette, from Beethoven and Gabriel Fauré to contemporary artists like The Beatles, Randy Newman, and Björk. His compositions have been recorded by Michael Brecker, Jack DeJohnette, Bob Dorough, Jim Hall, John Scofield, and Toots Thielemans, among others.
(Source:wikipedia, edited by CB)
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ALBUM REVIEW
Listening to this CD, it is surprising to note that few bossa nova records up to now have featured organs. Larry Goldings's subtle style (a laid-back Jimmy Smith) perfectly fits the idiom and some of the selections performed on his set are given straight-ahead sections for variety. The music is mostly easy listening with an appealing ensemble sound, consistently excellent concise solos from Goldings and guitarist Peter Bernstein, and tasteful backup from drummer Bill Stewart and percussionist Guilherme Franco. The three guest appearances by Joshua Redman make one wish that he were on more tracks for his tenor fits very comfortably into this setting.
~ Scott Yanow, AMG
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MINHA OPINIÃO: o repertório não poderia ser melhor: mescla de vários Jobins, João Gilberto, Caetano, Leroy Anderson et al. "Bossa nova made in USA", com os ingredientes típicos adicionados pelos músicos americanos, principalmente o "groove" meio híbrido, entre a BN autêntica e o Jazz. Bom de ouvir.
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LARRY GOLDINGS: Caminhos Cruzados (1994)

PERSONNEL:
Larry Goldings (Hammond Organ)
Peter Bernstein (Guitar)
Bill Stewart (Drums)
Guilherme Franco (Percussion)
Joshua Redman (Tenor Saxophone) - 1,5,10

TRACKS/FAIXAS:
1. So Danço Samba (Jazz Samba) (Antonio Carlos Jobim/Vinicius de Moraes) 5:44
2. Caminhos Cruzados (Antonio Carlos Jobim) 7:22
3. Ho-Ba-La-La-La (Joao Gilberto) 3:59
4. O Amor Em Paz (Once I Loved) (Antonio Carlos Jobim/Vinicius de Moraes) 4:40
5. Where or When (Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers) 6:23
6. Manine (Larry Goldings) 5:56
7. Avarandado (Caetano Veloso) 4:04
8. Serenata (Leroy Anderson/Mitchell Parish) 5:02
9. Menina Moça (Luiz Antonio) 5:20
10. Words (Larry Goldings) 5:50
11. Una Mas (Kenny Dorham) 6:22