Darrell Grant Black Art CD

A veteran of bands led by Tony Williams, Roy Haynes, and Betty Carter, pianist Darrell Grant's Criss Cross finds Grant working with trumpeter Wallace Roney, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Brian Blade on five post-bop originals, two jazz classics, and two standards. While this recording is under Grant's name, the real star of this recording is Roney. Often maligned by critics for sounding too much like Miles Davis, Roney possesses a more aggressive attack that he puts to use on several numbers, including the energetic Latin-influenced "Freedom Dance," "Tilmon Tones," based on a phrase from a Williams composition, and even shows his lyrical side on the beautiful melody of Grant's "Foresight." Grant also contributes a hip trio arrangement of the often-played standard "What Is This Thing Called Love." After a brief McBride bass solo, Grant's piano "suggests" the melody over a McBride bass vamp with the bridge played at a faster tempo. The song even ends with a whispering voice à la Davis. A satisfying label debut from a up-and-coming young musician. ~ Greg Turner

the Darrell Grant Quartet w. Grant-pno (Tony Williams, Betty Carter, Roy Haynes, Woody Shaw), Wallace Roney-tpt, Christian McBride-bs, Brian Blade-dms, originals and standards, 9 tracks

Recorded at RPM Studio, New York, New York on December 14, 1993. Includes liner notes by Nat Hentoff.

Personnel: Darrell Grant (piano).

Recording information: RPM Studio, New York, NY (12/14/1994).

Photographer: Ron Schwerin.

Personnel: Darrell Grant (piano); Wallace Roney (trumpet); Christian McBride (bass); Brian Blade (drums).

New York Times (Publisher) (1/5/95, p.C15) - Included on Peter Watrous' list of the Top 10 Albums Of '94 - "...An album...conceived from the rhythm section's point of view, with all sorts of changing tempos and textures..."