Faith

Chronique

Some of the hottest young stars of the jazz scene came together to play on Winard Harper's 2000 CD release, Faith With Carrie Smith. The faith theme runs strong on the album: faith in God, faith in each other, faith in the transporting power of music. Harper brings his skills as drummer and bandleader to the table to produce a delightful recording with some interesting twists. The djembe of Alioune Faye and a panoply of percussive sounds by Abdou Mboup provide unusual instrumentation to go along with the more common but hardly mundane workmanship of the rest of the septet, which includes Patrick "Face" Rickman on trumpet, Brian Horton on tenor saxophone, Nick Rolfe on piano, and Brandon Owens on bass. The group is joined by very special guests George Cables on piano, Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, and Carrie Smith on vocals. Gordon and Harper, who go way back to their work with Betty Carter, are particularly sympatico on the album. And the magnificent voice and delivery of Smith add a bluesy, gospel touch to this record of straight-ahead jazz. She possesses the warmth that "I've Got the World on a String" deserves; her rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" closes the record out on an inspirational note. Long before then, the listener is treated to some exuberant and sophisticated sounds on standards such as "Moanin'" and original compositions such as"Circle" and "Blessed Eid." Rickman is a standout with his effort on "Face Man." Winard Harper's faith in his musicians is well founded.
© Rose of Sharon Witmer /TiVo