4.0 out of 5 stars
Best Jazz Quartet Ever in the Twin Cities, December 13, 2011
This review is from: Jazz From the North Coast: Jazz in Orbit (Audio CD)
This group was my introduction to jazz at age 18. Talk about gifted! Bob Davis, piano, became Director of Music/Entertainment for the Playboy Clubs. Band leader Stan Kenton was a big fan of the Davis style. Equally talented on alto, tenor and baritone saxes was Bob Crea, who later performed and recorded with the Buddy Rich Band in the US and Europe. Drummer Billy Blakkestad powered the group. He played with the Kenton Band and, later, the Tommy Dorsey ghost band. Stu Anderson was the quartet's bassist. On Jazz From The North Coast you'll find some tasty and wonderfully listenable arrangements, most of which swing easy. Crea's ballad alto work on Willow Weep for Me and Nancy are as solid as you will hear. Davis gets the spotlight on It's Alright With Me and Darn That Dream. Through it all this wonderfully cohesive group keeps it light and quite melodic while displaying musicianship that is some of the best.Perhaps the top number from the album is Night In Tunisia since it showcases each player so very well.
Jazz In Orbit is equally good. The highlighted reedman on this album is Dave Karr, a lifelong Twin Citian who prefers the baritone and wows the listener with his speed and technique.
This CD set is a two for one buy and the best jazz dollars you will spend. Some sample tracks are available elsewhere on the web.
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