Carol Morgan Trio: Opening (2010)

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: September 19, 2010

Trumpeter Carol Morgan has a smile as big as her Texas home, and chops expertly informed by Ingrid Jensen Ingrid Jensen
b.1966
trumpet , among others, at Juilliard. She has been a fixture in the DIVA Jazz Orchestra (with Sharel Cassity Sharel Cassity

saxophone ). Additionally, Morgan heads the quintet, Carol Morgan's Case Study, featuring pianist Helen Sung Helen Sung

piano and Guitarist Mike Moreno Mike Moreno

guitar , and Morgana' Organic Trio, featuring Akiko Tsuruga. Opening is a trio recording, with bassist Harvie S Harvie S
b.1948
bass and drummer Richie DeRosa Richie DeRosa
.

Piano-less trios are not uncommon; but trumpet-led trios are. The closest comparison to Morgan's trio is Sonny Rollins Sonny Rollins
b.1930
saxophone ' tenor trio of the late '50s, with both relying on a solidly based rhythm section. Empathic communion occurs amongst Morgan's trio on Bud Powell Bud Powell
1924 - 1966
piano 's "Celia," where all three trade opening shots in the quick head of the piece, as Harvie S readily proves his popularity among New York musicians with both introductory and solo spaces. DeRosa establishes a pliant 4/4, over which Morgan proves, thankfully, to be pretty far away from Miles Davis Miles Davis
1926 - 1991
trumpet and much closer to Lee Morgan Lee Morgan
1938 - 1972
trumpet and Freddie Hubbard Freddie Hubbard
1938 - 2008
trumpet , without rote imitating either of them.

DeRosa's original "Dark Continent" lays down a percussive rhythm similar to that of Max Roach Max Roach
1925 - 2007
drums on Rollins' "St. Thomas," with the snare dropped and a solo full of cymbals and West African rhythm. "Like Someone in Love" is given a jaunty treatment, propelled by Harvie S. The piece rapidly evolves into a quiet ballad, DeRosa almost inaudible, as Morgan plays with beauty and command, illustrating something between hard bop and mainstream. This is perfect music for the jazz conservative looking for melodic playing with a lot of space around it.

Kenny Dorham Kenny Dorham
1924 - 1972
trumpet 's "Prince Albert" may reveal Morgan's closest relationship with a trumpeter from the past. This is chamber jazz, devoid of Third Stream musings. It is as stripped down and cleaned up as jazz can be. The result is a fresh sound full of warmth and swing. Morgan lives up to all of the attention she has been garnering and then some.