Walt Weiskopf Man Of Many Colors CD - Import

Walt Weiskopf follows up the lush nonet sounds of Siren with a streamlined, hard-hitting quartet statement. Joining the ultra-chopsy but lyrical tenor saxophonist in a somewhat rare sideman appearance is pianist Brad Mehldau, with John Patitucci and Clarence Penn in the rhythm section. The leader's "Triangle Dance," in a high-spirited 6/4, kicks off the session; the remaining five originals run the gamut from the up-tempo swing of "NYC" to the contrasting straight-eighth feels of "Petal" and the complex title track, to the flowing bossa of "Together." Weiskopf and Mehldau close the album with a beautiful duet called "When Your Lips Meet Mine" and are both heard to great advantage on the two non-originals, Shwartz & Dietz's "Haunted Heart" and Jule Styne's "People." ~ David R. Adler

Tenor saxophonist Walt Weiskopf - following a series of Criss Cross recordings featuring his original music for larger ensembles - places here the primary focus on his instrumental voice. Joined by star pianist Brad Mehldau, mega-bassist John Patitucci,

Walt Weiskipf Quartet: Walt Weiskopf (tenor saxophone); Brad Mehidau (piano); John Patitucci (bass); Clarence Penn (drums).

Personnel: Walt Weiskopf (tenor saxophone); Brad Mehldau (piano); Clarence Penn (drums).

Liner Note Author: Ted Panken.

Recording information: Systems Two Studios, Brooklyn, NY (12/12/2001).

Photographer: Gildas Boclé.