Gerald Beckett Flute Vibes CD

Live Recording

Personnel: Gerald Beckett (flute); Gerald Beckett (alto flute, bass flute, piccolo); Dave Bell (acoustic guitar); Khalil Doak-Anthony (electric guitar); Max Perkoff (trombone); David Udolf (piano); Aaron Germain (bass instrument); Niels Myrner (drums); Antonio Davidson Gomez (percussion); Damien Masterson (harmonica); Steve Heckman (tenor saxophone); Graham Bruce (flugelhorn); Erik von Buchau.
Audio Mixers: Gerald Beckett; Dave Bell.
Liner Note Author: Paula Edelstein.
Arrangers: Gerald Beckett; Graham Bruce.
For his second Summit CD as a leader, flutist Gerald Beckett (who doubles on alto flute, bass flute, and piccolo) continues to explore deserving but less frequently performed compositions by veteran jazz artists, as well as originals contributed by his band. Beckett's brisk arrangement of Wayne Shorter's "The Soothsayer" substitutes the flute for tenor sax as the lead voice, with vibraphonist Erik von Buchau and tenor saxophonist Steve Beckman as the secondary soloists. Beckett's soulful flute is the centerpiece of Mal Waldron's "Blue Gene," which is complemented by Damien Masterson's bluesy harmonica. Beckett's fresh interpretations of works by Jim Hall, Walter Bishop, Jr., and Hubert Laws are also noteworthy. The introductory unison line with the leader's flute and flügelhornist Graham Bruce in "Fami-Lee" (written by Bruce to salute the late trumpeter Lee Morgan) is delicious; the piece also showcases their remarkable solos. "FluteVibes," a collaborative work by Beckett and Bruce, is a cheerful vehicle that blends element of post-bop with an occasionally Latin flavor. Highly recommended! ~ Ken Dryden

JazzTimes (p.88) - "[T]he album showcases his various flutes and piccolo in a set of imaginative arrangements of tunes by well-known jazz composers."