Kenny Garrett Pursuance: The Music Of John Coltrane CD

Although saxophonist Kenny Garrett has, like many of his young contemporaries, made some questionable stylistic choices in his sessions as a leader, he is nevertheless a highly gifted musician who brings to the alto some of the dexterity of Charlie Parker and the harmonic adventurousness of John Coltrane. Projects like PURSUANCE, then, are perfect for Garrett. Since the record is comprised almost entirely of music written by Coltrane, there is no doubt about the quality of the material, but Garrett's technical expertise is given plenty of room to shine through. Help from such stellar players as drummer Brian Blade, bassist Rodney Whitaker, and guitarist Pat Metheny (who plays with a cool bop tone throughout) doesn't hurt either.

Garrett improvises impressively, while staying within Coltrane's larger stylistic parameters. The furious fluttering of "Countdown," for example, finds the saxophonist following Coltrane via his own zig-zag pattern. "Giant Steps" is given an intriguing reading, with Coltrane's original phrases quoted, clipped, and re-arranged. Some old-school fans of the music may scoff at the notion of a young sax man making an entire record of Coltrane covers, but Garrett acquits himself admirably, maintaining his own distinctive sound while paying tribute to the master.

Audio Mixer: James Farber.

Recording information: 1996.

Photographer: Andrew Eccles.

Personnel: Kenny Garrett (alto saxophone); Pat Metheny (guitar); Rodney Whitaker (bass); Brian Blade (drums).

Personnel: Kenny Garrett (alto saxophone); Pat Metheny (guitar); Brian Blade (drums).

Down Beat (8/96, p.52) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "...Garrett and Metheny prance and frolic throughout, proving that resourcefulness can be quite recreational....the leader's natural eloquence with the blues language proves sublime. His lines can be knotted and raw, or surprisingly supple..."
Musician (9/96, p.85) - "...Garrett creates a gripping rhythmic testimony out of short melodic fragments....[His] keening, bulbous alto tone recalls the preaching sound of R&B and gospel horn play....Garrett and [Pat] Metheny...feed off each other's phrases..."
New York Times (Publisher) (7/9/96, p.C11) - "...the record hangs together, with...plenty of moody improvising....Mr. Garrett takes on tunes not often heard..."