Originally published August 7, 2009 at 4:03 p.m., updated August 7, 2009 at 4:03 p.m.
TITLE: "Say it Plain" (Unity Music)
ARTIST: Scotty Barnhart
STARS: 4 1/2 Out Of 5 Stars
SOUNDS LIKE: mainstream jazz with a subtle bluesy and contemporary bent.
Even though trumpeter Scotty Barnhart has recorded with the likes of Marcus Roberts and Rosemary Clooney, he is not widely known outside of jazz circles. On "Say It Plain" his first CD as a bandleader, Barhhart shows a musical versatility that could garner him a wide range of fans.
Barnhart starts out the CD with a New Orleans influenced version of Coltrane's "Giant Steps."
"Haley's Passage" is a smooth grooving urbane tune with Barnhart trading licks with the legendary Clark Terry on flumpet, a trumpet/ flugelghorn contraption.
Terry shows up again on "Pay Me My Money," adding his smoky vocals to a bluesy jump tune.
For his inaugural outing, Barhhart enlists a crack group of sidemen including not only Terry but Marcus Roberts, Ellis and Wynton Marsalis Rodney Jordan and Bill Peterson.
If he keeps us this pace, he'll soon be a household name in jazz.
Share Your Thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. We do not review every post or respond to every removal suggestion. Comments that threaten someone or degrade them on the basis of gender, race, class, national origin, religion or disability will be removed. Comments containing abusive, vulgar or sexually-oriented language will be removed. Comments that spread rumors or lies will be removed. Please discuss only what has been factually proven. Comments posted in all caps will be removed. Stay on topic! Brief quotes are okay as long as the source is given. Blatant cutting and pasting is not acceptable. Comments must be kept under 250 words or less. Stjoenews.net moderators also reserve the right to remove comments for any reason they deem worthy. Click here for our full user agreement.