Canadian
Grant Stewart
has long been a part of the New York jazz scene, and his big-toned tenor is well suited to the music of
Duke Ellington
and
Billy Strayhorn
. Joined by pianist
Tardo Hammer
(frequently complimented by producer/label owner
Marc Edelman
as one of the city's best-kept secrets), bassist
Paul Gill
, and drummer
Joe Farnsworth
,
Stewart
explores both hits and less frequently explored songs from the vast repertoire of
Ellington
Strayhorn
, beginning with a brisk, effusive arrangement of
"Raincheck,"
which incorporates the changes utilized by
Sonny Rollins
in his 1953 recording.
's setting of
"I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart"
has a boppish tinge, as does the uptempo setting of
"It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing),"
in which the rhythm section fuels the fire of the leader. His hip arrangement of the Latin cooker
"Angelica,"
originally recorded by
as
"The Purple Gazelle,"
swings like mad. The tenor saxophonist also masters ballads such as the overlooked
"Tonight I Shall Sleep (With a Smile on My Face)"
and the dreamy
"The Star-Crossed Lovers,"
the latter long a feature for
's alto saxophonist
Johnny Hodges
. This is easily one of
's best recordings. ~ Ken Dryden