Will Scruggs
Jazz Fellowship is the saxophonist's debut recording as a leader, a self-issued CD made in 2004, prior to his leaving teaching to perform full-time. With a core group including pianist
Takana Miyamoto, bassist Moffet Morris, and drummer Chris Burroughs, occasionally augmented by additional musicians, Scruggs includes several promising originals. "Antithesis is the heartfelt opener, with the leader playing lead alto with tenor overdubbed behind it, adding guitarist Daniel Clay and percussionist Jose Musi Marcano in this brooding Latin piece. Scruggs switches to tenor for "The Voice," which showcases Miyamoto at length and has an obvious
Coltrane influence. "Beersheba," written with guitarist Gary Kurz, has more of a pop flavor with a hint of the Caribbean, even though there are no vocals, with the leader doubling on flute and Wurlitzer in addition to tenor. Scruggs' adaptation of the well-known "Blue in Green" features his big toned tenor, though the piece oddly transforms into a reggae setting as Daniel Clay is added to the mix, which proves to be more of a distraction than a novelty. But the balance of Will Scruggs' first CD shows a lot of potential and he will be one to watch. ~ Ken Dryden