BRIAN BROMBERG with TOM ZINK & CHARLES RUGGIERO

LAFARO

Be Squared Productions

Brian Bromberg, bass; Tom Zink, piano; Charles Ruggiero, drummer.

This album is a tribute, by these three great musicians, to the great bassist, Scott LaFaro.  Perhaps Brian Bromberg explained it best when he wrote these words in his liner notes:

“ … The concept of this album came from the passionate vision of my dear friend Susumu Morikawa from king Records in Japan.  Susumu came to me with the idea of me recording a Scott LaFaro tribute album.  At first, I wasn’t sure about doing it as Scott LaFaro was one of the most remarkable bassists in jazz music.  His brilliance and inventiveness on the bass were years ahead of his time.  He did things on the bass in the 1950s and early 1960s that had never been heard before.  I wasn’t sure I wanted to or was ready to do this recording, as the jazz bass world would be seriously judging and questioning why I was doing this project.  But, going back and listening to Scott with the Bill Evans Trio, I realized how much Scott LaFaro influenced me and my playing.  I wasn’t aware of how much he influenced me until I listened to him again after all these years.  It was only then that I agreed to do this project.”

The LaFaro tribute by Tucson-born Bromberg brings alive the innovative excellence and amazing technical skills that LaFaro exhibited while playing with another legend, Bill Evans.  This album also calls attention to the amazing talents of Brian Bromberg on bass.  It also highlights the super talents of gifted pianist, Tom Zinc and the awesome drum skills of Charles Ruggiero.  From the very first strains of their opening Miles Davis tune, “Solar” this listener quickly realizes that I am in the presence of greatness.

They follow this with the Evans composition, “Waltz for Debby.”  Bromberg takes the lead, singing the melody on his upright bass.  The thing that intrigued many critics and musicians about LaFaro was his counter-melodic style of accompaniment.  Instead of just walking his bass lines, LaFaro often created his own melodic and rhythmic lines in contrast to the piano.  Back in the late fifties and early sixties, this was a new concept.  Unfortunately, LaFaro died tragically in an auto accident on July 5, 1961.  He was only twenty-five years young, but he left behind a legacy of innovative music.

Bromberg has chosen three Miles Davis classics to showcase the LaFaro style; “Solar,” “Milestones,” and “Nardis.”   He also includes the tune Evans co-wrote with Davis, “Blue in Green.”  During this trio album you will appreciate how Bromberg is not only a creative improvisor, a technical wizard, but also the heartbeat of this group.  His rhythmic accompaniment is stellar.  They play “Alice in Wonderland” in waltz time.

Bromberg is an LA based, in-demand session musician who has brought his power and beauty on the bass to the music of Stan Getz, Dave Grusin, Billy Cobham, Michael Buble, Diana Krall and more.  I recall when he made his solo debut in 1986 on the smooth jazz charts.

Bromberg can play it all.  In 1991 he released his acoustic project called “It’s About Time” with two special guests: trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and saxophonist, Ernie Watts.

He surprised me with his tribute to Jimi Hendrix that spotlighted his remarkable versatility, along with several eclectic albums that followed, including his Unapologetically Funky Big Bombastic Band!  He plays the electric bass guitar with the same fluidity that he plays the double bass.

But I think my favorite of all his wonderful CD releases is this tribute to LaFaro.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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