They were two important exponents of the purist neo-bop that emerged in the 1980s. They also both died too young. Trumpeter Roy Hargrove (1969-2018) and pianist Mulgrew Miller (1955-2013) already played together in those early days as young lions (as members of the neo-bop movement liked to call themselves). Years later, in 2006 and 2007, they gave duo concerts in New York and Easton as two lauded
… jazz heroes. On the recordings they sound relaxed and inspired. They did not rehearse, so they mainly lean on standards like What Is This Thing Called Love? and two compositions by Thelonious Monk (Monk's Dream, Ruby, My Dear). Hargrove and Miller have mastered this repertoire to the hilt, going over it fearlessly and with audible mutual pleasure. (MR)more
