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Spotted spending time amongst Roy Haynes, Christian Scott and Terence Blanchard at the end of the 2000s, tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III quickly broke out and made a name for himself. He collaborated with some of the most prominent musicians of his generation, such as trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire (whose quintet he joined in 2008), pianist Eric Harland and drummer Kendrick Scott (Smith even features on his latest album, Corridors), and started a demanding but rewarding career as a band leader as early as 2006 (Casually Introducing). In Return to Casual, his first record for the prestigious Blue Note label, Walter Smith III humbly remains at the head of the formation he’s led since releasing Still Casual in 2014, illustrating his commitment to continuity and to the further development of the collective discourse he started.
The saxophonist’s energy, accompanied by Taylor Eigsti (piano), Matt Stevens (guitar), Harish Raghavan (double bass) and Kendrick Scott (drums) has renewed focus on this album, which has a silky, magnificently modulated sound. He declines the harmonic and rhythmic richness of a repertoire comprised by ten original compositions using the sophisticated language of modern jazz. This album is evidently based on a scholarly and critical knowledge of jazz’s traditions, particularly that of the Blue Note aesthetic during the glorious 60s. He’s joined on a few tracks by Blue Note staples James Francies (keyboardist), and the aforementioned Akinmusire. With this refined record, the quintet offers a magnificent selection of experiences and ambitions, undoubtedly cementing Walter Smith III amongst the greatest saxophonists of his generation. © Stéphane Ollivier/Qobuz
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Chris Allen, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kendrick Scott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Walter Smith III, Producer, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Harish Raghavan, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Taylor Eigsti, Piano, Rhodes , AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Jones, A&R - Matt Stevens, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Nino-Hernes, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Sacco, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Traci Fuller, A&R Admin
℗ 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Chris Allen, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kendrick Scott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Walter Smith III, Producer, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ambrose Akinmusire, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Harish Raghavan, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Taylor Eigsti, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Jones, A&R - Matt Stevens, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Nino-Hernes, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Sacco, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Traci Fuller, A&R Admin
℗ 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Chris Allen, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kendrick Scott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Walter Smith III, Producer, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Harish Raghavan, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Taylor Eigsti, Piano, Rhodes , AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Jones, A&R - Matt Stevens, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Nino-Hernes, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Sacco, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Traci Fuller, A&R Admin
℗ 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Chris Allen, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kendrick Scott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Walter Smith III, Producer, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Harish Raghavan, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Taylor Eigsti, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Jones, A&R - Matt Stevens, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Nino-Hernes, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Sacco, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Traci Fuller, A&R Admin
℗ 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Kate Bush, ComposerLyricist - Chris Allen, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kendrick Scott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Walter Smith III, Producer, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Harish Raghavan, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Taylor Eigsti, Piano, Rhodes , AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Jones, A&R - Matt Stevens, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Nino-Hernes, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Sacco, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Traci Fuller, A&R Admin
℗ 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Chris Allen, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kendrick Scott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Walter Smith III, Producer, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Harish Raghavan, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Taylor Eigsti, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Jones, A&R - Matt Stevens, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Nino-Hernes, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Sacco, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Traci Fuller, A&R Admin
℗ 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Chris Allen, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kendrick Scott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Walter Smith III, Producer, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Harish Raghavan, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Taylor Eigsti, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Jones, A&R - Matt Stevens, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Nino-Hernes, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Sacco, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Traci Fuller, A&R Admin
℗ 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Chris Allen, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kendrick Scott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Walter Smith III, Producer, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ambrose Akinmusire, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Harish Raghavan, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Taylor Eigsti, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Jones, A&R - Matt Stevens, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Nino-Hernes, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Sacco, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Traci Fuller, A&R Admin
℗ 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Chris Allen, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kendrick Scott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Walter Smith III, Producer, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Harish Raghavan, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Taylor Eigsti, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Jones, A&R - Matt Stevens, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - James Francies, Rhodes , AssociatedPerformer - Joe Nino-Hernes, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Sacco, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Traci Fuller, A&R Admin
℗ 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Chris Allen, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kendrick Scott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Walter Smith III, Producer, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Harish Raghavan, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Taylor Eigsti, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Jones, A&R - Matt Stevens, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Nino-Hernes, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Sacco, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Traci Fuller, A&R Admin
℗ 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Album Description
Spotted spending time amongst Roy Haynes, Christian Scott and Terence Blanchard at the end of the 2000s, tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III quickly broke out and made a name for himself. He collaborated with some of the most prominent musicians of his generation, such as trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire (whose quintet he joined in 2008), pianist Eric Harland and drummer Kendrick Scott (Smith even features on his latest album, Corridors), and started a demanding but rewarding career as a band leader as early as 2006 (Casually Introducing). In Return to Casual, his first record for the prestigious Blue Note label, Walter Smith III humbly remains at the head of the formation he’s led since releasing Still Casual in 2014, illustrating his commitment to continuity and to the further development of the collective discourse he started.
The saxophonist’s energy, accompanied by Taylor Eigsti (piano), Matt Stevens (guitar), Harish Raghavan (double bass) and Kendrick Scott (drums) has renewed focus on this album, which has a silky, magnificently modulated sound. He declines the harmonic and rhythmic richness of a repertoire comprised by ten original compositions using the sophisticated language of modern jazz. This album is evidently based on a scholarly and critical knowledge of jazz’s traditions, particularly that of the Blue Note aesthetic during the glorious 60s. He’s joined on a few tracks by Blue Note staples James Francies (keyboardist), and the aforementioned Akinmusire. With this refined record, the quintet offers a magnificent selection of experiences and ambitions, undoubtedly cementing Walter Smith III amongst the greatest saxophonists of his generation. © Stéphane Ollivier/Qobuz
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:48:39
- Main artists: Walter Smith III
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Blue Note Records
- Genre: Jazz
© 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc. ℗ 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc.
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