|
Notes From "Double 'A'" |
| THE CONCEPT:
The group that Andy Farber and Andrew Williams assembled for
this album is not stuck to one style of jazz; they eschew the
holy wars of moldy figs against beboppers, beboppers against
free jazzers, neobeboppers against everyone else. "That's
not us," insists Williams. "We don't have any hidden
agenda," says Farber, the group just played the music we
like, and whatever happened, happened. For the last few years,
Andy Farber has been composing and arranging for larger groups---big
bands, orchestras, octets. "For my first album, I wanted
to just blow and have fun. I do have some original compositions,"
he continues, "but the album is more of an outlet for me
as a player. Andrew Williams was a logical guy to colead this
date: we've been playing together for so long that we've developed
a musical symbiosis which allows us to get right into the music."
Farber and Williams share a longtime love of albums that showcase
great tenor duos~Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons; Dexter Gordon and
Wardell Gray; Johnny Griffin and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis;
and the recent pairing of James Moody and Mark Turner. They also
love the spirit of collaboration between trombonists Kai Winding
and J.J. Johnson. So for Farber and Williams this is the best
of both worlds~trombone and tenor, which is rare as the sole
front line of a jazz quintet (far more typical is the pairing
of trumpet and saxophone). And since Williams plays the tenor
trombone, in a way this is a collaboration between tenors, with
a wonderful twist. `I just try to swing, play pretty melodies, and deal with some blues," says Farber. "Andrew Williams is coming from the same place. We make a great team. |
|
Slide Hampton |
| "I met
Andrew Williams three years ago in New York City -- and I was
overwhelmed. How could a musician of this skill and talent not
be widely recognized? We started jamming, and his disciplined
approach to improvisation not only mirrored my attitude but inspired
me in my playing and arranging. Andrew also helped me develop
the concept for Inclusion. Like all serious artists he's always
striving to better himself and I've been privileged to observe
his development as a trombonist." -Slide Hampton |
|
Frank Foster |
| "Jazz
which deserves the ears of all discerning listeners...it's highly
evident that they did just what they set out to do; just blow
and have fun...a very high quality CD" -Frank Foster |