Jazz
Recorded May 1979
George Adams tenor saxophone, vocal
Heinz Sauer tenor saxophone
Kenny Wheeler trumpet, flugelhorn
Richard Beirach piano
Dave Holland bass
Jack DeJohnette drums
Tenor saxophonist George Adams' third recording as a leader (following two obscure releases for the Italian Horo label) is a little unusual in that the extroverted soloist is heard on the usually introverted ECM label. Adams is teamed with fellow tenor Heinz Sauer (who has a cooler sound), trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, pianist Richard Beirach, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette for five group originals. The playing is advanced but not as fiery as most of Adams' later sets.
--- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
George Adams
Active Decades: '70s, '80s and '90s
Born: Apr 29, 1940 in Covington, GA
Died: Nov 14, 1992 in New York, NY
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Avant-Garde, Post-Bop, Free Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz
A passionate tenor and flute player who was not shy to break up chordal improvising with an unexpected scream or roar, George Adams was an original voice who (like his friend Don Pullen) crossed over several stylistic boundaries. He started on piano, but by the time he was in high school he was playing tenor in funk bands. In 1961, he toured with Sam Cooke, and in 1963 Adams moved to Ohio where he played with organ groups for the next few years. In 1968, he relocated to New York where he played with Roy Haynes, Gil Evans, and Art Blakey, among others. However, it was his association with Charles Mingus (1973-1976) that gave him his initial fame. After playing a bit with McCoy Tyner, Adams co-led a stimulating quartet with Don Pullen that made many records. Late in life, Adams (who enjoyed taking an occasional raspy blues vocal) teamed up with James Blood Ulmer in the group Phalanx, and occasionally played with Mingus Dynasty.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
