Doc Cheatham & Nicholas Payton CD

DOC CHEATHAM AND NICHOLAS PAYTON was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual or Group. "Stardust" won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo.

This matchup between trumpeters Doc Cheatham (91 at the time) and Nicholas Payton (just 23) is quite logical and delightful. Cheatham, one of the few survivors of the 1920s, was still in remarkably fine form, while Payton (a flexible New Orleans player capable of ranging from Dixieland to Freddie Hubbard) is both respectful and inspiring. With Doc contributing occasional vocals and the settings ranging from a quartet to an octet with clarinetist Jack Maheu and pianist Butch Thompson, the brassmen explore a variety of 1920s and '30s standards, including a couple of obscurities ("Do You Believe in Love at Sight?" and "Maybe"). The interplay between the co-leaders, the many subtle tributes to Louis Armstrong, and the consistent enthusiasm of this swinging set make this a historic success and a very enjoyable outing. ~ Scott Yanow

Personnel: Doc Cheatham (vocals, trumpet); Chris Potter (bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Kenny Werner (piano).

Liner Note Author: Bob Blumenthal.

Recording information: Maybeck Recital Hall, Berkeley, CA (10/09/1996).

Photographer: James Gudeman.

Personnel: Doc Cheatham (vocals, trumpet); Nicholas Payton (trumpet); Tom Ebbert, Lucien Barbarin (trombone); Jack Maheu (clarinet); Butch Thompson (piano); Les Muscutt (guitar); Bill Huntington (bass); Ernie Elly (drums).

Producers: Andrea Du Plessis, Jerry Brock, George Hocutt.

Down Beat (7/97, p.62) - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5) - "...Doc Cheatham and lion cub Nicholas Payton deliver the sunniest New Orleans trad-infused jazz album of the year....they complement each other like loving grandfather and great- grandson."