Joe Lovano is not satisfied with a particular concept, but would like to try everything. This search can be found on the CDs he has recorded so far. For 52nd Street Themes he has chosen a nine-piece formation, which he, together with his old friend and arranger Willie "Face" Smith, makes a kind of big band. The choice of songs is easy to guess with such a CD title; songs by Tadd Dameron, Miles Davis
… and Billy Strayhorn, among others. Musicians, who were of great influence when 'it' all happened on this famous New York street. However, this album has not yet become a nostalgic look back. Leave it to Joe Lovano to make it contemporary be-bop. (RM)more