Donald Harrison, who gained his initial recognition in the 1980s when he was with
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and co-led a band with
Terence Blanchard, has continued growing and evolving ever since that time. Though underrated, he is currently at the peak of his powers.
Harrison worked with bassist
Ron Carter, drummer
Billy Cobham, and pianist
James Williams in a 2002 quartet called the Art of Four. He reunites with
Carter and
Cobham for five selections on
Heroes and also engages in three duets with the bassist. Whether it is a minor blues ("One of a Kind"), the "I Got Rhythm" chords of "Double Trouble," "Solar," or the melancholy "Candlelight,"
Harrison shows that he is a superior post-bop improviser with a sound of his own. The final three selections, listed as "bonus tracks," have
Harrison performing a funk piece, a calypso, and a mistitled
Thelonious Monk tune ("Well, You Needn't" is listed as "Straight, No Chaser") in spirited fashion with bassist
Vicente Archer and drummer
John Lamkin. This CD is one of
Donald Harrison's most rewarding showcases to date and is highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow