One of relatively few psychiatrists who has simultaneously established himself as an active jazz musician with an extensive discography (another is
Denny Zeitlin),
Eddie Henderson's prescription for jazz fans is this mellow, primarily ballad-oriented studio session. With pianist
Kevin Hays, bassist
Ed Howard and drummer
Billy Hart,
Henderson reprises one of
Miles Davis' most memorable tracks from
Kind of Blue. While he sticks to muted trumpet (as
Davis did), his solo probes different ground, even with a similar tempo. Two works by the leader's wife Natsuko Henderson include "Around the World in 3/4" (a lush waltz feature for his flugelhorn) and "Precious Moment," a lyrical ballad with a slight bittersweet edge with a moving chorus by
Hays. The extended workout of the Swedish folk song "Dear Old Stockholm" and the turbulent setting of
Wayne Shorter's "Dance Cadaverous" break out from the mostly subdued sound of the remainder of the CD. The surprise closing track is a straightforward performance of the Christmas carol "Silent Night" by
Henderson on flugelhorn, though
Hays' synthesizer accompaniment and the unusual rhythm backing the leader prove to be a bit distracting. In any case,
Precious Moment is easily recommended to fans of post-bop.