T.K. BLUE

PLANET BLUU

Jaja Records

T.K. Blue, alto & soprano saxophone/alto flute/kalimba/composer; Davis Whitfield & Dave Kikoski, piano; Orion Turre, drums; Dishan Harper, bass; Wallace Roney jr., trumpet; Steve Turre, trombone/shells.

According to reedman, T. K. Blue, “Planet Bluu lies just beyond the realm of our imagination.”

This latest creative project is being released on the heels of him performing with the Herbie Hancock Institute at the 2024 International Jazz Day Concert in Tangier, Morocco.  Blue was also the Musical Director of the African Rhythms Alumni Ensemble that performed at the NEA Jazz Master Award Ceremony this year.  T. K. Blue’s latest release is his 15^th album as a leader.  He has had great success with an album titled “Follow the North Star” released in 2008, followed by “C.W. Post Jazz” in 2010, and “Latin Bird” in 2011.

Four more albums followed, including the final album on Jaja Records titled “The Rhythms Continue” released in 2019.  The jazz community has been awaiting his current project.

T.K.’s latest album opens with a tune called, “The Hue of Bluu.” It features close harmonic horn patterns between T.K. Blue’s saxophone and the trumpet of Wallace Roney Jr.  On Track #2, you hear T.K. Blue playing kalimba to begin the tune called “Valley of the Bluu Rose.”  As a multi-instrumentalist, Blue is a master player of flute, kalimba, sanza, lukembi, mbira and bongo.  Sometimes those who master playing African hand pianos are called Griots or Jalis. They become respected as oral historians of the traditional African society.  Blue has been deeply influenced by his parents, who introduced him to the diasporic African heritage in Trinidad, Tobago, and Jamaica, as well as his own extensive travels throughout the African continent. You hear this musical and cultural influence throughout his album.  It’s scheduled for release on October 25, 2024.

Blue has composed nine of the eleven songs on this album.  One of my favorites is “Chrystal Lake Bluu.”  I really enjoy the addition of the Kalimba inserted into strategic places within his arrangements. Blue is proficient on both alto and soprano saxophone, as well as alto flute during this production. Another favorite composition is “Turquoise Bluu” that swivels the spotlight onto pianist Davis Whitfield and the rich trombone excellence of Steve Turre. I also enjoyed their closing tune, “The Bluu Sea of Our Tomorrows.”  Great title and excellent composition where T.K. Blue soars and shines on his saxophone.  He transports me back to the John Coltrane heyday with this wonderful arrangement.

Using his compositions, his arrangements, and the title of his latest album, T.K. Blue endeavors to share his view of Planet Bluu as a place devoid of war, famine, systemic racism, gender discrimination and religious intolerance.  If only we could heal the world and wipe all those ills away with music, the universe would be a better place.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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