Directions In Music: Live At Massey Hall

Performer: Herbie Hancock/Michael Brecker/Roy Hargrove
Artist: John Patitucci; Brian Blade
Engineer: Doug Doctor; Rob Griffin
Producer: Michael Brecker; Jason Olaine
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: Herbie Hancock (piano); Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone); Roy Hargrove (trumpet, flugelhorn); John Patitucci (bass); Brian Blade (drums). Recorded at Massy Hall, Toronto, Canada on October 25, 2001. DIRECTIONS IN MUSIC won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. "My Ship" (Herbie Hancock) won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo. "Naima" (Michael Brecker) was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo. The influence that Miles Davis and John Coltrane had on jazz is incalculable; it is breathtaking to think that they were in the same band for a number of years. The focus of this tribute CD is the work they did separately in the 1960's: Miles' second quintet and Coltrane's great quartet. This live set from Toronto's Massey Hall features a cross-generational super-quintet. Passing the torch and keeping the fires burning is what keeps jazz alive and kicking. Young lion Roy Hargrove rises to the occasion and ably keeps up with his elders in this band's frontline. Standouts are Michael Brecker's deconstruction of Coltrane's classic "Naima," the inspired ensemble re-workings of "My Ship" and "So What/Impressions," Herbie Hancock's forever hip, etude-like accompaniments for his bandmates, and the intuitive rhythm support of John Patitucci and the resourceful Brian Blade.

Entertainment Weekly (6/21/02, p.85) - "...This triumvirate exudes post-bop authority and fame...going down some dangerous harmonic avenues..." - Rating: B+ Q (8/02, p.122) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Pretty exceptional..." Uncut (8/02, p.104) - 4 out of 5 - "...Always lively, sometimes very fine indeed...All in all, a good buy." Down Beat (7/02, p.52) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...A star-driven affair...both beautiful and captivating..." JazzTimes (6/02, pp.83-4) - "...Compelling music prompting serious discussion about retaining the vitality of one era's innovations when they become the standard operational procedures of the next..." Mojo (Publisher) (1/03, p.73) - Ranked #9 in Mojo's "Best Jazz Albums of 2002" Mojo (Publisher) (6/02, p.116) - "...Features Hancock leading a superb quintet...through MIles/Trane-related material....frighteningly good and hungrily played..."

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