Saturday 20th August, 17:00 – House of Hard Bop. A year after the success of Song For My Father, Blue Note followed in 1966 with The Cape Verdian Blues. Pianist Horace Silver was once more inspired by his Cape Verde-born father.
The brass are Woody Shaw (trumpet) and Joe Henderson (tenor sax), Bob Cranshaw plays bass and Roger Humphries drums – one of the strongest lineups Silver ever assembled.
The Cape Verdian Blues has a long drawn out theme. Without piano, it sounds like a jolly piece from a tropical dance band. Silver’s piano is the jazz element. Attractive party music – you can’t sit still. Powerful solos by Silver and tenor sax Henderson.
The slow, meditative The African Queen is a nice contrast. Just as in the previous piece Silver chooses a continuous chord rhythm in the left hand. As far as rhythm goes drummer Humphries lets loose.
3/4 time is rare with composer Silver. Pretty Eyes is a swinging waltz. With Nutville we arrive in energetic uptempo . Trombonist J.J. Johnson joins the soloing brass.
All the soloists are powerful and committed. Drummer Humphries driving playing deserves mention.
The programme opens with music from the album Song For My Father. In the previous edition of House of Hard Bop – 16th July 2022 – we played some pieces from it. Click here for that broadcast and here for its accompanying Newsletter.
House of Hard Bop – a programme by hardbop drummer Eric Ineke
