Exhibition: Tribute to Joe Henderson---A Stellar Remembrance by Rebecca Coupe Franks
Written: Jun 09 '04 (Updated Jan 30 '08)
Product Rating:
Pros: Varied tunes with great trumpet playing and solid support.
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: More than a meditation on life and loss, Exhibition reveals an understated soulfulness and emotional center within the music. Jazz fans should seek this one out.
MiDoyle's Full Review: Exhibition: Tribute to Joe Henderson * by Rebecca ...
Rather than record a conventional tribute album, that is, “cover” the tunes most associated with tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson (1937-2001), trumpeter Rebecca Coupe Franks favored a more personal and organic approach to honoring him. With Exhibition: A Tribute to Joe Henderson she chose to compose music that picks up on the lessons, experiences, and themes she associates with Henderson. In short, Exhibition: A Tribute to Joe Henderson, serves as a “musical memory book” dedicated to her musical mentor.
Ms. Franks credits Henderson (in the liner notes by Scott Yanow) with teaching her the practical and fundamental aspects of being a musician: from reading charts correctly, to learning the piano as a composing tool, and, most importantly, constantly working on getting better as a musician. Henderson was a source of inspiration to her and a supportive friend and resource.
And, without the tribute connotations, the album also serves to mark Ms. Franks’ welcome return to active recording (her last album All of Sudden was released in 1992), with a jazz album worthy of acclaim and support by the jazz community.
Joined by Sylvia Cuenca on drums (who toured with Henderson), Essiet Okon Essiet on bass, and Adam Schulman on piano, Ms Franks’ offers tunes that serve not only to honor Henderson but also illustrate his broad musical reach. The tunes serve as a musical odyssey through the last 50 years of recorded jazz history, ranging through ballads, be-bop, hard bop, Brazilian jazz, and contemporary jazz, harking back to the sounds of the 50s/60s, and also sounding most contemporary.
Tracks (all tracks written/arranged by Rebecca Coupe Franks)
Wow
Page Two
Detroit Blues
Los Palmos
Rain and Tears (duet)
Ode to Joe
Inspiration
Sincere
Exhibition
Gentle Soul
Rain and Tears (band)
Time: 48:30 (approximate)
Exhibition: A Tribute to Joe Henderson is an independent release (RCF Publishing) and can be ordered through her Web site at www.rebeccacoupefranks.com.
This is a contemporary jazz record that maintains a satisfying flow between tracks and showcases Ms. Franks’ ability to write “music” that serves as more than just a showcase for her trumpet skills. The range of styles presented here and the able support of her trio signify she has arrived as a jazz composer of considerable merit.
Franks’ is quoted in the liner notes (about Henderson’s performances) with “His soul was revealed when he played, which is what I strive for.” With Exhibition: A Tribute to Joe Henderson, Ms. Franks’ reveals (to this listener) that she has learned that lesson well.
Well beyond a simple meditation on life and loss, Exhibition: Tribute to Joe Henderson, reveals an understated soulfulness and emotional center within the music. Those seeking a jazz album that arrives at the point where jazz becomes something meaningful, an emotional connection, a form of communication, a celebration of ability and sound, would be wise to seek this one out. Five stars and highly recommended.
For those listeners encountering Ms. Franks' music for the first time with Exhibition, Matt Merewitz wrote a very good overview of her career and her jazz style/sensibilities, which can be found at the "all about jazz" site at http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article_print.php?id=14674.
Cat Rating Scale
Both Freddie and Chester respond enthusiastically to Ms. Franks’ clarion call to seize an afternoon of hard-core naps and tuna snacks. Two paws up.
2005 Update
Ms. Franks is currently working with a new group Coupe and her Groovemobile, a six piece band (vocal, sax, trumpet, guitar, bass, and drums) that marries R&B/Funk with a decidedly serious jazz twist. She hopes to be able to record a "Groovemobile" album with major label support.
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