Holly Hofmann is one of the top flautists in jazz, though she was classically trained. Joined by pianist
Mike Wofford (who is also her husband), bassist Peter Washington and drummer
Victor Lewis, she kicks off with a mini-tribute to the late
Ray Brown.
Brown's samba arrangement of
Cole Porter's "Everything I Love" and his own funky "CRS-Craft" (the first part a hilarious acronym for "Can't Remember S -- t") feature Washington as well as the leader. "Minor Miracle" is a Hofmann-
Wofford collaboration that mixes a complex theme with a strutting rhythm underneath. Hofmann and
Wofford make magic with their duo interpretation of
Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Samba de Aviao." She happily acknowledges her longtime producer's request for
Ray Bryant's "Tonk" with a spirited interpretation. But she saves the most impressive tracks on the session for the end of the CD. They include the brilliant Afro-Cuban arrangement of
Billy Strayhorn's "Johnny Come Lately," the haunting ballad "Minha" and her virtuoso playing in a brisk treatment of "Will You Still Be Mine?" Highly recommended! ~ Ken Dryden