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Dave Stryker: Messin’ With Mister T
Posted by Larry Isacson on May 18, 2015 in Jazz | 0 comments
Tenor saxophonist Stanley ‘Mister T’ Turrentine (1934-2000), one among the many influential jazz musicians to emerge from Pittsburgh, PA, provides the inspiration and focus for the album under review consideration here.
Beginning in the 1960s, Mr. Turrentine’s most endearing and notable qualities as a player reached maturity and a deservedly wider audience: a confident, hometown stylistic swagger that betrayed no braggadocio, sentimentality without mawkishness, buoyantly conveyed feeling, and a superb understanding of all jazz subgenres and styles – blues, ballads, cookers, popular numbers past and present, funk, soul – combined with an ability to connect with listeners in a most pleasing, forthright and down-to-earth manner.
It was during the 1970s, however, that Stanley Turrentine attained his widest popularity as a recording artist, and it’s the music from this period onwards that provides the fodder for guitarist and erstwhile Turrentine band mate Dave Stryker’s new CD, Messin’ With Mister T. Mr. Stryker’s current working trio – with Jared Gold at the Hammond B3 organ and drummer McClenty Hunter – is joined by no fewer than ten of today’s top tenor saxophonists as well as noted percussionist Mayra Casales; these dynamic musicians proudly display their numerous personal and musical connections to the late, vaunted saxophonist in creating a most appealing, satisfying, and thoroughly swinging Turrentine celebration.
Mr. Turrentine’s late-1980’s “La Place Street” immediately and memorably captures that confident ‘Mister T’ swagger and pride-of-place feeling, with veteran tenor Houston Person, Dave Stryker and Mr. Gold sharing solo spots on this up-tempo finger-snapper of a tune. Don Braden manages the challenge from and respect for Mr. Turrentine very nicely indeed on the title-track variant “Don’t Mess With Mister T,” an enticing and assured number whose smoldering character makes it an album highlight.
Following Mr. Stryker’s adept and well-judged introduction, “In A Sentimental Mood” offers the listener the distinct pleasure of Jimmy Heath’s strong, insightful statement on the Duke’s immortal ballad. Coltrane’s “Impressions,” first taken up by Stanley in the early 1970s and again in the 1990s with Dave Stryker, is a frenetic cooker with Stryker, Chris Potter and Jared Gold generating the necessary thrust.
Two of Turrentine’s best-known numbers, “Salt Song” and “Sugar,” appearing in joyful Latin-esque and bluesy readings, respectively, and headlined by Eric Alexander and Javon Jackson, also figure prominently here.
One would be hard-pressed to imagine a better tip of the hat toward Stanley Turrentine than what is on offer here from musicians keen to recognize past masters and showcase present mastery alike.
Dave Stryker celebrates the man he worked with for over a decade - Stanley ‘Mister T’ Turrentine - with ten of the greatest tenor sax players on the scene today. Now here’s a winning hand: Dave Stryker’s organ trio, ten of the world’s finest tenor saxophone players, and the legacy of Stanley Turrentine. You could call it a tribute to the late tenor great, but given Stryker’s audacious title, Mister T looms here more like an enduring challenge than an icon of past glories. The Pittsburgh native died 15 years ago, but he remains synonymous with soulfulness. Messin’ with Mister T is Dave Stryker’s personal homage to Turrentine, whom he toured with for over a decade and recorded with twice. Dave says that being hired by Stanley was a real validation of his playing, and he’s had it in mind ever since he passed to do something like this tribute. One sure sign that the time was right is that everyone he asked to appear on the date came immediately on board.
There’s no better person to pay tribute to Stanley than Dave because the musical values Stanley always stood for - swing, soulfulness, taste, melody, and beautiful sound - are carried forward in everything that Dave plays. Messin’ with Mister T is the latest in the brilliant series of recordings that Stryker has led over the past 25 years, and a follow-up to his hugely successful Eight Track (Strikezone 8809). The guitarist seems never at a loss for inspiration and the array of styles he commands and the flow of ideas he executes is truly impressive. Dave says that Turrentine’s influence was especially strong in showing him how important it was to establish a sound of his own, and to communicate with people. Stanley had an audience, and he never left them behind. Messin’ with Mister T is a winning hand indeed, as Dave Stryker has put together a joyous and swinging celebration of the music of Stanley Turrentine with ten of the greatest tenor players on the scene today.
Source: davestryker.com
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Stanley Turrentine |
Stanley Turrentine, composer Stanley William Turrentine, also known as “Mr. T” or “The Sugar Man” (April 5, 1934 – September 12, 2000) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Born in Pittsburgh into a musical family, Turrentine began his prolific career with blues and rhythm and blues bands, and was at first greatly influenced by Illinois Jacquet. In the 1950s, he went on to play with the groups of Lowell Fulson and Earl Bostic. Turrentine received his only formal musical training during his military stint in the mid-’50s. In 1959, he left the military and went straight into the band of the drummer Max Roach. In the 1970s, Turrentine turned to jazz fusion and signed for Creed Taylor’s CTI label. His first album for CTI, Sugar proved one of his biggest successes and a seminal recording for the label. He worked with Freddie Hubbard, Milt Jackson, George Benson, Bob James, Richard Tee, Idris Muhammad, Ron Carter, Grant Green and Eric Gale, to name a few. He returned to soul jazz in the 1980s and into the 1990s. Turrentine lived in Fort Washington, Maryland, from the early 90s until his death. He died of a stroke in New York City on September 12, 2000, and is buried in Pittsburgh’s Allegheny Cemetery. Source: Wikipedia |
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Dave Stryker |
Dave Stryker, guitar & bandleader Dave Stryker (born March 30, 1957) is an American jazz guitarist. He has 25 CDs as a leader to date, and has been a featured sideman with Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and Kevin Mahogany, among others. Gary Giddins in the Village Voice calls him “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.” He was recently voted one of the Top Guitarists in the 2013 Critics and Readers Poll of Down Beat, and previously was elected a Rising Star in the 2004-2007 Downbeat Critics Poll. Stryker grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, moved to New York City in 1980, and joined organist Jack McDuff’s group, travelling all over the U.S. for two years (1984–85). From 1986 to 1995, and 1998-2000 Stryker played with tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, performing at all the major festivals, concert halls, and clubs throughout the world. He currently leads his own group, The Dave Stryker Organ Trio, as well as his Blue to the Bone Band. He co-leads The Stryker / Slagle Band with saxophonist Steve Slagle. Source: Wikipedia |
 Jared Gold |
Jared Gold, Hammond B3 organ Organist Jared Gold’s emergence as one of the New York area’s most in-demand musicians comes from years of dedication to his instrument. With such notable influences as Larry Young, Jack McDuff, and Don Patterson to draw upon as a foundation, the emphasis on finding his own voice has now clearly taken precedence and required Gold to construct his own unique philosophy based on extending harmony and solidifying the groove. Gold’s latest release, titled Metropolitan Rhythm (2015, Posi-Tone), features his working trio of veteran guitarist Dave Stryker and up-and-coming drummer Kush Abadey. In his young career, Gold has been provided with the opportunity to work with many established veterans and can be seen performing regularly with his own group and appearing steadily alongside in the working groups and recordings of John Abercrombie, Dave Stryker, Oliver Lake, Ralph Bowen and David Gibson. Gold, a New Jersey native and graduate of William Patterson University’s Jazz Program, keeps a busy schedule of domestic and international tours, but can still be found playing organ on the weekends in local New Jersey churches and running his self started company, JG3 Tech, where he builds folding portable midi organs and ultra-lightweight portable midi bass pedals. Source: www.jaredgoldb3.com |
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McClenty Hunter |
McClenty Hunter, drums Jazz drummer McClenty Douglas Hunter Jr. showed an early interest in music from the age of two, when he received his first drum set as a gift. The perfect place to cultivate his natural ability to groove began in church. McClenty received a scholarship to Howard University in Washington, DC where he matriculated in 2005, with a Bachelor Degree in Music Education. While in attendance, he was introduced to jazz through studies with master drummer, Grady Tate and was given the opportunity to perform with Jimmy Heath, Yusef Latef, Darren Barrett, David “Fathead” Newman and Larry Ridley. In 2007, McClenty received a Master Degree in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School of Music in New York City where he studied under The Artistic Director of Jazz Studies and Jazz Drummer, Carl Allen. Source: theiridium.com |
 Mayra Casales |
Mayra Casales, percussion Born in Havana, Cuba and raised in Miami, percussionist Mayra Casales’ musical growth began with the Afro-Cuban culture of her surroundings. In Miami, Mayra studied with Carlos ‘Patato’ Valdez. Soon she was performing with some of the biggest names in Latin and Cuban music, such as Celia Cruz, Machito, Joe Cuba, and Miguelito Valdez. In 1978, Mayra moved to NYC, where she continued her musical journey performing with jazz great such as Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Barretto, among many others. Source: www.mayracasales.net |
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Impressions - Dave Stryker Organ Trio Live at JEN 2012