Forever, for Always, for Luther is an emotional and heartfelt tribute to the legendary R&B vocalist
Luther Vandross, who suffered a diabetes-induced stroke in April 2003 that left him in a coma for several weeks. Top contemporary jazz artists revisit several of his major hits and enable listeners to feel the passion and love for the man and his music. Such songs as "Any Love," featuring saxophonist
Kirk Whalum, take the collection to creative and harmonic heights. "If Only for One Night" features
Dave Koz on soprano saxophone and
Brian Culbertson on keyboards, rediscovering the R&B ballad with a seductive laid-back midtempo groove. Trumpeter
Rick Braun plays the sentimental "Dance With My Father," which was the last record
Vandross recorded prior to suffering the stroke. This song went on to win multiple Grammy awards in 2004 and ends the recording on an emotional high note. The music on
Forever, for Always, for Luther comes from a period that had an indelible imprint on many of
Luther Vandross' fans and friends, other musicians, and R&B history. It is an exceptional tribute to an excellent musician. ~ Paula Edelstein