Lush Life: The Music Of Billy Strayhorn Super-Audio CD

This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players.
Personnel: Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone); Wynton Marsalis (trumpet); Stephen Scott (piano); Christian McBride (bass instrument); Gregory Hutchinson (drums).
Liner Note Authors: Stanley Crouch; Dean Pratt.
With the release of this CD, the executives at Verve and their marketing staff proved that yes, indeed, jazz can sell. The veteran tenor Joe Henderson has had a distinctive sound and style of his own ever since he first entered the jazz major leagues yet he has spent long periods in relative obscurity before reaching his current status as a jazz superstar. As for the music on his "comeback" disc, it does deserve all of the hype. Henderson performs ten of Billy Strayhorn's most enduring compositions in a variety of settings ranging from a full quintet with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and duets with pianist Stephen Scott, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Gregory Hutchinson to an unaccompanied solo exploration of "Lush Life." This memorable outing succeeded both artistically and commercially and is highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow
Billy Strayhorn was one of the greatest composers in jazz history. It's no wonder Duke Ellington, his longtime collaborator, considered Strayhorn to be his alter ego. The beauty of Strayhorn's music lies in the fact that his tunes need no embellishment, yet at the same time, they are great vehicles for improvisation. For the performer, his music requires sensitivity, but it also invites daring interpretations.
Both reverent and playful, tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson strikes a perfect balance on 1992's LUSH LIFE: THE MUSIC OF BILLY STRAYHORN. Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis contributes tremendously to this album with blistering solos on "Johnny Come Lately" and "U.M.M.G. (Upper Manhattan Medical Group)." However, other musicians are featured throughout, as well--the three duo tracks, "Isfahan," "Lotus Blossom," and "Take the 'A' Train," illustrate the greatness of bassist Christian McBride, pianist Stephen Scott, and drummer Gregory Hutchinson, respectively. Henderson himself displays tremendous improvisational prowess on all the tracks, particularly shining on his solo rendition of "Lush Life."Entertainment Weekly (3/6/92, p.59) - "...LUSH LIFE matches Strayhorn's music in originality and sheer strangeness...Henderson, an adventurous and commanding bop player, brings a fierce muscularity to this music..." - Rating: A
Q (1/93, p.71) - Included in Q's list of the 50 Best Albums Of 1992.
Down Beat (3/92, p.33) - 4.5 Stars - Very Good Plus - "...his sound is at once sturdy, lean, overtone-conscious, and hard-hitting...substance and shadow of tone and subtone throughout..."
Village Voice (2/2/93, p.78) - "...a nearly flawless inquiry into the music of Billy Strayhorn, with inspired work by four supporting musicians, including Wynton Marsalis..."
Jazziz (Dec.-Jan./92, p.94) - Picked by critic Josef Woodard as one of the 10 best jazz albums of 1992.