egroj world: Steve Grossman • Time to Smile

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Steve Grossman • Time to Smile

Review by Scott Yanow
This outing is one of tenor-saxophonist Steve Grossman's finest recordings to date. He has mixed together the almost equal influences of John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins to achieve his own style and sound. The program is quite strong with its superior yet generally underplayed standards joined by two of the leader's originals, Elvin Jones's "E.J.'s Blues" and Freddie Redd's "Time to Smile"; also the lineup of musicians would be difficult to top. Pianist Willie Pickens shows a lot of versatility on the hard bop-oriented music, trumpeter Tom Harrell (who is on around half of the tracks) is as fiery and alert as usual, bassist Cecil McBee has a strong musical personality that comes across even when restricted to accompanying the soloists, and drummer Elvin Jones remains in prime form. The main focus however is mostly on Grossman and he continues to grow as an improviser year-by-year. Highly recommended.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/time-to-smile-mw0000181523

Biography by Scott Yanow
Although he started out playing in fusion-oriented settings, Steve Grossman developed into an excellent hard bop tenor in the tradition of Sonny Rollins (although he developed his own sound). Grossman originally started on alto when he was eight, adding soprano at 15, and tenor at 16. He started at the top as Wayne Shorter's replacement in Miles Davis' fusion group from late 1969 up to September 1970. Grossman was with Lonnie Liston Smith in 1971, spent a valuable period (1971-1973) as part of Elvin Jones' group, and in the mid-'70s was with Gene Perla's Stone Alliance. Grossman mostly led his own bands from that point onward, recording as a leader for such labels as P.M., Owl, Red, and Dreyfus. Steve Grossman died in Glen Cove, New York on August 13, 2020 of cardiac arrest following a long illness; he was 69 years old.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/steve-grossman-mn0000044517#biography

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Reseña de Scott Yanow
Esta salida es una de las mejores grabaciones del saxofonista tenor Steve Grossman hasta la fecha. Ha mezclado las influencias casi iguales de John Coltrane y Sonny Rollins para lograr su propio estilo y sonido. El programa es bastante sólido con sus estándares superiores, pero generalmente subestimados, unidos por dos de los originales del líder, "Ej's Blues" de Elvin Jones y "Time to Smile" de Freddie Redd; también la alineación de músicos sería difícil de superar. El pianista Willie Pickens muestra mucha versatilidad en la música orientada al hard bop, el trompetista Tom Harrell (que está en aproximadamente la mitad de las pistas) es tan ardiente y alerta como de costumbre, el bajista Cecil McBee tiene una fuerte personalidad musical que se nota incluso cuando se limita a acompañar a los solistas, y el baterista Elvin Jones permanece en plena forma. Sin embargo, el enfoque principal está principalmente en Grossman y continúa creciendo como improvisador año tras año. Muy recomendable.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/time-to-smile-mw0000181523

Biografía de Scott Yanow
Aunque comenzó tocando en entornos orientados a la fusión, Steve Grossman se convirtió en un excelente tenor hard bop en la tradición de Sonny Rollins(aunque desarrolló su propio sonido). Grossman comenzó originalmente en contralto cuando tenía ocho años, agregando soprano a los 15 y tenor a los 16. Comenzó en la cima como reemplazo de Wayne Shorter en el grupo fusion de Miles Davis desde finales de 1969 hasta septiembre de 1970. Grossman estuvo con Lonnie Liston Smith en 1971, pasó un valioso período (1971-1973) como parte del grupo de Elvin Jones y, a mediados de los 70, estuvo con Stone Alliance de Gene Perla. Grossman dirigió principalmente sus propias bandas a partir de ese momento, grabando como líder para sellos como P. M., Owl, Red y Dreyfus. Steve Grossman murió en Glen Cove, Nueva York, el 13 de agosto de 2020 de un paro cardíaco luego de una larga enfermedad; tenía 69 años.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/steve-grossman-mn0000044517#biography

Tracks:
1 - 415 Central Park West - 7:21
2 - Circus - 7:00
3 - I'm Confessin - 8:37
4 - Extemporaneous - 6:45
5 - This Time The Dream On Me - 7:44
6 - Time To Smile - 8:36
7 - Till There Was You - 5:44
8 - E.J's Blues - 7:57

Credits:
    Bass – Cecil McBee
    Drums – Elvin Jones
    Piano – Willy Pickens
    Tenor Saxophone – Steve Grossman
    Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Tom Harrell

Recorded in New York City on February 12, 1993.

Label:    Dreyfus Jazz – FDM 36566-2
Country:    France
Released:    1994
Genre:    Jazz
Style:    Hard Bop
https://www.discogs.com/release/5455710-Steve-Grossman-Time-To-Smile