Steve Turre In The Spur Of The Moment CD

In the Spur of the Moment, Steve Turre's debut release for Telarc Jazz, is a technically precise and elegant musical adventure through three jazz styles in which Steve Turre expresses his musical personalities in a quartet setting. In the first setting, he plays the blues in jazz with the legendary Ray Charles on piano, Peter Turre on drums, and Peter Washington on bass. The section features two original compositions by Steve titled "Ray's Collard Greens," an authentic 12-bar blues, and "Duke Rays," a song based on Duke Ellington's "In a Mellow Tone," for which Steve uses Ellington's changes but has written a new melody. "Misty" and "The Way You Look Tonight" round out the section, but are featured with the same approach to the blues. The second section of In the Spur of the Moment features Stephen Scott on piano in a modern and modal setting. His third musical setting stars Turre and Chucho Valdes playing Afro-Cuban sounds in a set that also features Peter Turre on drums, Buster Williams on bass, Jack DeJohnette on drums, Andy Gonzalez on bass, and the great, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez on drums and percussion. This section shows Turre at his zenith as an assured leader and sensitive collaborator with exciting accompaniment by Chucho plus the string quartet, and Quartette Indigo on "Claudia." In the Spur of the Moment concludes with an exciting finale that features Turre putting his brilliant trombone and shell skills to the test on the exciting jam, "Descarga Ahora." This CD is an glowing example of Steve Turre's exceptional finesse in the many styles of jazz. ~ Paula Edelstein

In 3 Trios;Ray Charles,Stephen Scott,Chucho Valdes,J.Dejohnet

Includes liner notes by Steve Turre & J.J. Johnson.

Recorded at Avatar Studios, Studios A & C, New York, New York on August 14 & October 8, 1999; Master Sound, Astoria, Queens, New York on October 5, 1999.

Personnel: Steve Turre (trombone, shells, maracas); Ray Charles, Chucho Valdes, Stephen Scott (piano); Peter Washington, Buster Williams, Andy Gonzales (bass); Horacio "El Negro" (drums, bongos, congas, timbales, campana); Peter Turre, Jack DeJohnette (drums).

Quartette Indigo: Gayle Dixon, Sandy Billingslea (violin); Richard Spencer (viola); Akua Dixon (cello).

Entertainment Weekly (7/7/00, p.131) - "...A smart, beautifully executed project..." - Rating: B+
Down Beat (10/00, pp.71-2) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...He plays so damn well...there are many little jewels studded throughout the CD....For starters, Ray Charles...plays as a sideman on the first 4 tracks....Turre plays with lift, swing and verve throughout..."