America

One of the best straight Ahead Jazz albums of all times. Carl Saunders is a wonderful trumpet player, composer and arranger.

An incredible collection of song by a Fantastic Bop Trumpeter

Another great quartet release from Carl Saunders. Brilliant!

I think it's Carl's best small group CD. Trumpet performances are superb; very imaginative solo lines and great chops. Christian Jacobs is one of the top jazz pianists in L.A. and lives up to his reputation on this outing.

thx

CD Review by Simon Pilbrow - 27-11-2014This latest recording from the under-rated trumpet master Carl Saunders is yet another great celebration of his playing and fine compositions. Saunders is a veteran of more than five decades in top-shelf jazz aggregations ranging from Stan Kenton to Bill Holman, Buddy Rich to Clare Fischer, and many smaller ensembles. He still has a formidable trumpet technique in terms of range, stamina and inventiveness and is a composer of many yet-to-be-recorded compositions. Fortunately for the grateful listener, he has in recent years released a number of first-rate small group, big band and orchestral recordings that feature both his super trumpet work and his compositions. This present album features seven more of his pieces, from the gently rocking latin tune "Autumn Sojourn", to the cheerful "Nigeria" that might well bring a smile to Sonny Rollins' face. Then there is the fine and bluesy "Grim Rapper", a nod to Mr Rimsky-Korsakoff in "Bumble Bee Blues", and his hauntingly beautiful ballad, "Sweetness". True to Saunders' love for and deep respect for the music of Frederic Chopin, he includes a gentle bossa nova reconfiguration of the beautiful Nocturne op 9 in Eb Major. In every mood, tempo and texture, whatever musical material, Saunders can be relied upon to play with both great energy and restraint, a pure tone and great feeling, and highly lyrical improvisations. His quartet again includes long-term collaborator and brilliant pianist Christian Jacob, whose accompaniments and imaginative solo inventions are always at a high level, engaging and exciting, every note important and a well-matched foil to the leader's own playing. Bassist Dave Stone and long-time colleague drummer Santo Savino round out this very cohesive and tasteful rhythm section, at times augmented by fine percussionist Brad Dutz. Carl's own voice can be heard to great effect on a Bakerish "I can't get started". For this listener, however, the opening title track "America the Beautiful" is worth the price of the whole album, starting with a harmonically rich chorale of five overdubbed Carls, leading into double time for the solos, with deep emotions echoing throughout - both in the chorale and the fine reworking of the solo chord changes. It is clear that Carl loves this great song and plays it with great respect, affection and joy. For anyone who has never heard Carl Saunders play, this is an excellent place to start. For those who have long admired this man's music, this is yet another gem for the collection. Pass the word around.