|
|
|
|
|
|
Buddy Budson's SextetBuddy Budson swung into Ann Arbor's Firefly Club with his sextet on April 21 and treated us to some interesting and challenging arrangements. The sextet recorded On With Their Heads last year and many of the songs from that CD were heard (the CD is available at www.ursulanadbuddy.com). One tune was "Back to Kansas," which Budson wrote based on "Over The Rainbow." Trombonist Dennis Wilson quoted liberally from the well-known standard in his
Budson added just the right harmonic colors behind his soloists throughout the evening. Drummer Bob Harsens was a pleasant new acquaintance. His was an elegant drummer with a lot of finesse. It is not easy to put on the mantle of Danny Spencer, who played on the CD, but Harsens wore it with ease. right: bassist Marion Hayden photographs by Lars Bjorn I N - T H I S - I S S U E : |
|
solo and trumpeter Dwight Adams delivered a characteristically sparkling solo. Adams' lead on the Quincy Jones theme from The Pawnbroker was just right for this pensive ballad. 
Bassist Marion Hayden leads another local sextet that overlaps in personnel with this one. "Woik," one of Hayden's pieces from her suite about the Middle Passage, is part of the shared repertoire of the two groups and was one of the highlights of the evening. It was appropriately soulful and angular in the tradition of Monk and included some great tenor sax by Chris Kaercher, expressive plunging of the bone by Wilson, and wonderful walking bass by the composer. Budson's piano solo was in the pocket and his comping showed what a great listener he is.