Kenny Wheeler Quintet - Songs For Quintet (2015) [Hi-Res]

Kenny Wheeler (1930-2014) was an unassuming giant of modern jazz, a daring improviser, and a writer of many beautiful and slyly unorthodox tunes. 'Songs for Quintet', his final recording, features compositions of relatively recent vintage.

The album was recorded at London's Abbey Road Studios in December 2013 with four of Kenny's favourite players. Saxophonist Stan Sulzmann, guitarist John Parricelli, bassist Chris Laurence and drummer Martin France work together marvellously as an interactive unit, solo persuasively, and provide support for the tender and lyrical flugelhorn of the bandleader. The CD, which also includes a fresh approach to "Old Time" (which the Azimuth trio used to play) and "Nonetheless", a piece introduced on 'Angel Song', is issued to mark what would have been Kenny Wheeler's 85th birthday (14 January 2015).

The session turned out to be the last occasion on which Kenny played with other musicians. The melodic imagination and the improvisational courage remain; the flugelhorn soloist could not be anybody but Kenny Wheeler. His exchanges with Stan Sulzmann throughout the album are full of charm, and indicative of the sense of friendship and mutual respect that characterises the whole band.

Kenny Wheeler's recorded legacy includes albums now regarded as contemporary jazz classics such as 'Gnu High', 'Deer Wan', and 'Music for Large and Small Ensembles', all on ECM.

Kenny Wheeler (flugelhorn)
Stan Sulzmann (tenor saxophone)
John Parricelli (guitar)
Chris Laurence (double bass)
Martin France (drums)