Eddie Henderson – Collective Portrait (2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

“I DON’T LIKE TO WRITE IN ALL OF THE NOTES,” says legendary trumpeter Eddie Henderson with a laugh, ”Miles always said, ‘just write a sketch and let all the musicians fill in.’ He’d say, ‘A collective portrait is better than a self portrait.’” It was advice that resonated with a young Eddie Henderson who, even after 40-something years, still relies on it as a primary organizing principle for his music. Eddie is someone who thrives on—requires really—a group that embodies the risk-taking and creative freedom that Miles encouraged and for Collective Portrait he has chosen some of the very best: Gary Bartz, George Cables, Doug Weiss and Carl Allen. Eddie says that he knew “instinctively” that this combination would have just the musical chemistry he wanted. Eddie, George and Gary have been making music together since the 1970s when he was still based in California and having them together again, he decided to revisit some of this Blue Note Records “hits” from that era, some of which have been famously sampled in recent years by acid jazz and hip hop artists. With updated arrangements, they breathe new life into “Sunburst,” “Dreams,” “Morning Song,” and “Beyond Forever.” They also delve into some of the iconic works of the hard-bop trumpet canon—“Gingerbread Boy,” “Zoltan” and “First Light”—giving Eddie an opportunity to put his personal stamp on these works made famous by Miles, Woody Shaw and Freddie Hubbard respectively. Of course, no one today plays a ballad quite like Eddie Henderson and there are several memorable ones in this set including “Together,” which Eddie’s wife, Natsuko wrote for him in celebration of their 20 years together.

Collective Portrait, Henderson’s 22nd solo album and second for Smoke Sessions, features a frightfully strong band of players whom Henderson has known for years: pianist George Cables and alto saxophonist Gary Bartz along with the rhythm section of bassist Doug Weiss and drummer Gary Allen. Unlike most Smoke Sessions release, this set of 10 tunes was recorded in the studio rather than at the label’s jazz club in New York City.
Much of Herbie Hancock’s influence can be found in the album’s arrangements — as on the Sextant-influenced rumble of Eddie Henderson’s “Sunburst” — and the “collective” nature of the Davis’ best recordings underpins the equanimity evident throughout the proceedings. “Sunburst” is certainly a highlight, Henderson’s round tone at times soaring, at times subtle while Cables romances the harmonies.
Another Henderson tune, “Dreams,” follows “Sunburst” and is girded by Weiss’ four note opening bass figure and Cable’s intuitive chordal flourishes. The communal spirit of the band shines here, as Bartz and Henderson’s interplay opens the door to their individual solo expressions. A pair of Cables originals get readings here: “Morning Song,” which Cables wrote in Henderson’s living room and first recorded with him in 1977 (on Coming Through), is a sunny delight that brings a lighter touch to the performance, with Weiss and Allen playing their parts a little closer to the chest; “Beyond Forever,” which also first appeared on Coming Through, is also a light-hearted number, fueled by a pulsing cross-stick figure that Allen delivers with delicate energy.
Cables’ experience playing with Freddie Hubbard inspired their cover of the trumpeter’s “First Light,” which offers a rock steady groove over which Bartz, Henderson and Cables (this time on piano) all offer formidable solos. Jimmy Heath’s “Ginger Bread Boy” finds the band in a boppish mood, using the Miles Smiles version as a launching pad for their own approach.
The Roman Klun/Paul Stache production, recorded live to ½” analog tape at New York City’s Sear Sound Studio A is, as they’ve done in the past, as pure and well-heeled as any recording from the legends at Blue Note or Red Lion, a pure canvas on which Henderson and company paint a marvelous picture. Smoke Sessions continues to produce great music and this record is as good as they’ve done so far. –Michael Verity

Tracklist:
01. Eddie Henderson – Sunburst (08:21)
02. Eddie Henderson – Dreams (09:56)
03. Eddie Henderson – Morning Song (07:40)
04. Eddie Henderson – You Know I Care (05:51)
05. Eddie Henderson – Beyond Forever (04:46)
06. Eddie Henderson – First Light (08:45)
07. Eddie Henderson – Together (05:44)
08. Eddie Henderson – Ginger Bread Boy (05:08)
09. Eddie Henderson – Spring (05:28)
10. Eddie Henderson – Zoltan (06:46)

Personnel:
Eddie Henderson – trumpet, flugelhorn
Gary Bartz – saxophones
George Cables – piano
Doug Weiss – bass
Billy Drummond – drums

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