Trumpeter Payton has fine debut

Nicholas Payton "From This Moment" Verve

From New Orleans, the city that gave us Wynton Marsalis, comes another young trumpet wonder whose straight-ahead debut album is especially impressive for a 21-year-old. His tender ballad work in particular is evidence of a musical maturity beyond his years.

Payton also has a lot to say on uptempo material, and the tone and technique to say it with. A highlight is his wonderfully loose, fresh version of "You Stepped Out of a Dream." Indeed, when Payton catches fire, some of these tunes, like a red- hot "From This Moment On" and "It Could Happen to You," seem ready to burst their seams.

You can't take the New Orleans out of Payton; a certain rollicking exuberance often animates his solos. Not to be missed is his joyous rendering of "Taking a Chance on Love" featuring pianist Mulgrew Miller's stride playing and guitarist Mark Whitfield's strumming.

Ronald Kovach, Journal staff

Joe Lovano "Rush Hour" Blue Note Tenor and soprano saxophonist Lovano, who's won numerous jazz polls but remains best known only among the jazz elite, takes a turn away from his hard- driving post-bop style on this newest release.

Here he immerses himself in some sumptuous large-group arrangements provided by Gunther Schuller. One set of arrangements is string-laden; the other features horns. Both remind the listener of the classically-influenced work of Gil Evans. Lovano blows cool, inventive lines over the repertoire of Ellington, Mingus, Monk and Ornette Coleman, along with his and Schuller's own compositions.

For variety, there are several small-group sessions as well, allowing Lovano to stretch out he even tackles "Chelsea Bridge" in a solo improvisation. Expect to see this recording on many 1995 Top 10 lists.

Frank Federico, for the Journal

Scott Hamilton "Organic Duke" Concord Jazz Hamilton, regarded as one of the finest of today's jazz saxophonists, reinforces that reputation here while broadening his horizons with organist Mike LeDonne in 10 fine tracks of Duke Ellington-flavored jazz.

Hamilton, LeDonne, bassist Dennis Irwin and drummer Chuck Riggs range from the all- out romp of "Jump for Joy" through the laidback mellowness of "Moon Mist" and the TLC lavished on the beautifully melodic "Isfahan" to the chugging momentum of "The Old Circus Train Turn-Around Blues."

The latter, one of Ellington's lesser-known locomotives, still has plenty of steam to put a nice finishing touch on the album.

Don Lewis, Journal staff

Copyright 1995
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