CHARLES McPHERSON

REVERENCE

Smoke Sessions Records

Charles McPherson, alto saxophone/composer/arranger; Terell Stafford, trumpet; Jeb Patton, piano; David Wong, bass; Billy Drummond, drums.

Charles McPherson was born July 24, 1939, in Joplin, Mo.  However, he has deep roots in my hometown of Detroit, Michigan, where he was raised.  Young Charles moved to Detroit in 1948.  He was nine years old. Attending Detroit’s Northwestern High School, he was part of an after-school band that included Lonnie Hillyer (trumpeter), the now historic drummer Roy Brooks, and Motown’s awesome bass player who was a jazz bassist first, James Jamerson.  It was at a local, black-owned jazz club in the Motor City called the Blue Bird Inn (located on Tireman street) that young Charles met Barry Harris.  The renowned pianist would become McPherson’s mentor, friend, and father-figure.  I think McPherson’s destiny was pretty much evident at the age of fifteen when he became acquainted with Barry.

Seventy plus years ago, Charles Mingus invited the fledgling saxophone player, a very young and still innocent Charles McPherson, to join his avant-garde jazz band. What better way to be catapulted into the jazz music he loved?

On this current album release, you will appreciate the fundamental values and lessons McPherson has learned from his mentors and from life itself.  You will love his ‘swing’ and deep appreciation for melodies, rhythmic adventures, and harmonic creativity.  I can always count on McPherson’s music to be soaked in the blues.  For example, on his arrangement of “Come Rain or Come Shine,” his horn puts so much soulful blues into the presentation, I am tempted to cry.   That’s the thing you hear, feel, find in the elders who play this music.  It’s their honesty and vulnerability that touches the listener’s heart.  Recently, Samara Joy brought her lovely vocals to McPherson’s stage at the Smoke Jazz & Super Club in New York City.

McPherson’s album’s opening tune, “Surge” is dedicated to Barry Harris, who passed away in 2021 at the well-lived age of ninety-one. McPherson says of his mentor:

“Barry established a real foundation for me on a technical level, harmony, theory, rhythm … but stressed the importance of being melodic with harmony.  He also stressed the art, as well as craft.  Inspiration and intellect holding hands.  Head and Heart!”  McPherson summarizes his lessons learned from the great pianist.

“Surge” is all of those things and more.  It swings like a grandfather clock’s steady pendulum, driven by the awesome drums of Billy Drummond.  Jeb Patton steps forward with a blues-laced piano solo that locks in with David Wong’s walking bass.  The harmony created by Terell Stafford’s trumpet and McPherson’s alto sax sings the melody. It sticks like sweet chewing gum in my brain.  All the pieces are there and in place, as we hear the puzzle come together.  A waltz follows, another McPherson original. This tune is dedicated to his trumpet friend from high school, Lonnie Hillyer.  “Blues for Lonnie in Three” waltzes across my listening room in a very freely improvised way.

McPherson may be in his eighth decade on this earth, but he has lost no creativity, determination, or command along the way.  His full potential is on display during this production.  I am caught up in the synergy between these explosive musicians.  Every song brings joy and excitement that fills my heart and home. This album releases to the public on April 26, 2024.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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