Donald Harrison Quintet - For Art's Sake

This CD sometimes sounds like a hard bop jam session. Altoist Donald Harrison, who is joined by trumpeter Marlon Jordan (19 at the time), pianist Cyrus Chestnut, bassist Christian Mcbride and drummer Carl Allen, starts off the live session with "So What" and the "Freddie Freeloader"-like blues "Nut" (which alternates between two different keys). However, the date takes a welcome turn to the left during a 17-minute version of "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," which features an explorative Harrison solo, an explosive yet thoughtful improvisation from Jordan, and intense work by the rhythm section. Read More