Guitarist Greg Skaff, who hails from Wichita, Kansas told Jazz Guitar Today recently that second great Miles Davis quintet bassist Ron Carter and famed drummer Albert ''Tootie'' Heath ''worked together with Bobby Timmons in 1961 and they recorded together in 1993 as part of the Riverside Reunion Band, but they had not worked together in 30 years. Tootie was eager to play with Ron again, so that’s how I got him to come on board.''
That's worth getting this straightahead record for alone. Skaff is excellent with these two giants. On 'Caminando' the knack is in the incisive quality of the guitarist's breakaway. And on this track the way Carter scythes out space for himself is pure craft. And listen how the woodiness of the instrument is beautifully caught. Carter's lovely tune 'Little Waltz' that the bassist played with Timmons on 1966 Prestige release The Soul Man gets both duo and trio treatments. For voicings most of all, gravitate to Skaff on Duke Ellington's 'Lady of the Lavender Mist.' Out now on SMK/Smoke Sessions
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