The leading man

Colombia (Sony) is releasing a new series with Legendary Pioneers Of Jazz. Jazz giants who have already started making a name for themselves in the past are given the opportunity to add something to their oeuvre again. Lou Donaldson delivers a reasonable CD with Sentimental Journey. His style of playing is not surprising and often lacks the verve of the fifties and sixties. It all sounds a bit more… humble and streamlined, which works out well on the title track Sentimental Journey. Most notable is accompanist guitarist Peter Bernstein, who is very talented. Organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, drummer Fukushi Tainaka and conga and bongo player Ray Mantilla contribute to making this not Donaldson's least CD. Pianist Harold Mabern delivers a CD of allure with The Leading man. Whether it's a song made famous by pop singer Vanessa Williams entitled Save The Best For Last, or a song made famous by Frank Sinatra, It's A Lonesome Old Town, or it's John Coltrane's Moment's Notice, quality trumps . And that can also be said of the accompanists: bassists Christian McBride and Ron Carter, drummer Jack DeJohnette and the horn section. (JW)more