Ken Wiley fresh french horn jazz Ken Wiley – Jazz Horn Redux

Ken Wiley fresh french horn jazz Ken Wiley – JAZZ HORN REDUX:  I didn’t realize it when I first started spinning this very comfortable album, but Ken’s instrument is the French Horn, and as you listen to his interpretation of classic jazz standards like Freddie Hubbard’s “Little Sunflower“, you’ll hear why I fell in love with the album right away (this one gets the honor of being in a semi-permanent spot on my iPhone player)… The fact that he’s joined by such a stellar cast of players – Bob Sheppard, Mike Miller, Chuck Findley, Gary Grant, Dan Higgins, Luis Conte, Kendall Kay, Wally Minko and Trey Henry – makes the experience even more enjoyable!

The best descriptor for the music Ken has put together on this outstanding jazz set is “cool”… as you listen to the group’s performance on Jobim’s “Corcavado“, you’ll instantly fall in love with the album (just as I did)… yes, it’s “light & airy”, as the original was, but Ken’s weave of his French Horn through the track takes the tune to soaring heights… mellow, mellow, folks!

If funky & fun is what you’re listening for, you’ll dig down deep into Ken’s take on the closer, Eddie Harris’s “Freedom Jazz Dance“… his arrangement gives the classic & often-covered tune a life of it’s own, to be sure!

Of the eleven songs offered up for your jazz listening enjoyment, though, it’s the performance on Milt Jackson’s “Bag’s Groove” that got my vote for personal favorite, without a doubt!  I give Ken and his fellow players a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98 for this excellent jazz set.  Get more information on Ken’s CD’s and projects at the Ken Wiley website.      Rotcod Zzaj

#Ken #Wiley #fresh #french #horn #jazz

Dick Metcalf, editor, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
Dick Metcalf, editor, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
Dick Metcalf (aka Rotcod Zzaj) is a globe-hopping musician and poet who spent many years roving the world until he finally settled in his current abode, Lacey, Washington... just down the road from Seattle. He started IMPROVIJAZZATION NATION magazine in 1990 (still being published), and Contemporary Fusion Reviews magazine in 2016. He also was a keyboard player & singer for many years... you can hear (and download for free) many of those works at his "Internet Archive Collection". If you'd like to support our efforts and get something in return, there are also a few of these albums for sale on the Rotcod Zzaj BandCamp site"

Related Articles

Ads from our artists

 

Latest Articles