Roy Haynes Fountain Of Youth CD - Import

Personnel: Roy Haynes (drums); Marcus Strickland (soprano & tenor saxophones, bass clarinet); Martin Bejerano (piano); John Sullivan (bass).
Recorded at Birdland, New York, New York on December 4 & 5, 2003.
Personnel: Roy Haynes (drums); Marcus Strickland (bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Martin Bejerano (piano).
Audio Mixer: David Ruffo.
Recording information: Birdland, New York, NY (12/04/2002-12/05/2002).
Photographers: Douglas Yoel; Jimmy Katz.
Arranger: Roy Haynes.
Drummer Roy Haynes chose a perfect title for this album: at 79 years of age, he is an undisputed elder statesman of jazz and one of the few surviving ambassadors from the bebop past; at the same time, he plays with the kind of energy and unflagging invention that would be the envy of a drummer one-third his age. Fountain of Youth was recorded live in December of 2002 at the legendary Birdland club in New York City. Haynes leads a quartet that also features pianist Martin Bejerano, saxophonist Marcus Strickland, and bassist John Sullivan. The program opens with a brilliant jazz-waltz setting of the traditional English tune "Greensleeves," and then proceeds to survey both bebop standards (there are no fewer than three Thelonious Monk compositions on the nine-track program), Tin Pan Alley classics (Irving Berlin's "Remember"), and even a Pat Metheny tune (the lovely "Question and Answer"). Everyone plays with both fire and elegance, especially on the dancing "Butch and Butch" and a lovely, meditative rendition of Monk's "Ask Me Now." And while Haynes always plays with consummate taste and never consciously upstages his young bandmates, a listener paying any attention at all will be constantly surprised by his inventive and exquisitely tasteful rhythmic exclamations and subtle prods. Very highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson
Studying the photograph of drummer Roy Haynes on 2004's aptly named FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, it is difficult to believe that the drummer was--at the time the record was released--79 years of age. Haynes is beaming with youthful vitality in the photo, and his drumming on the album is no less vigorous, idea-filled, and tasteful than it was when he backed Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis in the 1940s and '50s.
In part, Haynes's energy may have to do with his choice to work with musicians young enough to be his grandchildren. Bassist John Sullivan, pianist Martin Bejerano, and saxophonist/bass clarinetist Marcus Strickland make for stimulating, progressive company, pushing and prodding Haynes to new edges as they are simultaneously driven by his busy polyrhythms. Bop and hard-bop flavors dominate the program, with three tunes by Monk (his frantic "Twinkle Trinkle" and lovely "Ask Me Now" are two highlights) taking center stage along with a brisk rendition of Irving Berlin's "Remember." With no dearth of musical strength and invention at any point on FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, it does in fact seem like Haynes has stumbled onto some kind of secret.