DESCRIPTION:
At one time, there would have been a yawning stylistic gap -- indeed, a Grand Canyon -- between alto players Frank Morgan and Bud Shank. But by the time they finally collided head on at Seattle's Jazz Alley, they were perfectly compatible, as their often fiery live exchanges here graphically prove. It was Shank who had changed the most, having set his sights upon becoming a roaring bebopper upon his move to Washington State the year before this gig. On the title track, Shank sets the agenda and Morgan carries it even further, venturing thrillingly onto the outside after reasserting his bop base. Morgan and Shank trade bop licks with fervent upward sweeps on "Solar," where Morgan's fire cranks up Shank's playing. Each of them gets a solo showcase; Morgan waxes simply and pithily on "Emily," and Shank toys fluidly with "What's New." Pianist George Cables, bassist John Heard, and drummer Jimmy Cobb aid and abet the altoists' bop flights in mainstream fashion, and the presence of a live audience clearly pushes these horns into some exciting, ardent jazz territory. ~ Richard S. Ginell Liner Note Author: Neil Tesser. Recording information: Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA (03/26/1987-03/28/1987). Photographer: Larry Halpern. Unknown Contributor Roles: Danny Kopelson; David Luke; George Cables; Jimmy Cobb ; John Heard . Personnel: Frank Morgan (alto saxophone), Bud Shank (tenor saxophone, flute), George Cables (piano), John Heard (bass), Jimmy Cobb (drums). Personnel: Frank Morgan (alto saxophone); Bud Shank (alto saxophone); George Cables (piano); Jimmy Cobb (drums).