Following the deaths of
Milt Jackson,
Art Farmer, and
Manfredo Fest during the same week in 1999,
Kenny Drew, Jr. was moved to honor them. The resulting CD acknowledges the contributions of each of them individually without the all too often bland recreations that makes critics dread such releases. The pianist is accompanied by bassist
Santi DeBriano and drummer Tony Jefferson. Vibraphonist
Stefon Harris is present on the tracks saluting
Milt Jackson, starting off with
Jackson's infectious blues standard "Bag's Groove";
Harris shows his debt to Bags while finding his own voice on this classic song, while
Drew's imaginative accompaniment darts in and out behind him. Their take on
Thelonious Monk's "Epistrophy" (a very appropriate choice since
Jackson was present on the first recording of
Monk's theme song) is aggressive and still very swinging.
Wallace Roney joins the trio to salute
Art Farmer; their first choice is "Mirage," a somewhat bittersweet piece recorded by
Farmer when
Fred Hersch (its composer) was the pianist in his group.
Drew's inventive lines and
Roney's mournful tone in an otherwise upbeat tune make for compelling listening.
Drew's late father not only composed "With Prestige" but was a member of
Farmer's quintet when he recorded it in 1956; this version is much brisker, while
Roney's tone is just a shade darker than
Farmer's. The delicate arrangement of the beautiful ballad "Blame It on My Youth" features
Drew with
Roney on muted horn.
Manfredo Fest is honored by three trio tracks, including
Jobim's easygoing bossa nova "Children's Games" and
Fest's driving "Bossa Blues No. 2."
Drew's introspective solo interpretation of
Bill Evans' "We Will Meet Again" is a masterpiece of lyricism and serves as an appropriate requiem for all of the jazz greats who have passed on. This very impressive CD is well worth the investment.