Harry Allen Quartet

The Harry Allen Quartet

           Harry Allen knows how to swing. The 37-year-old tenor saxophonist once again has self-produced another gem-of-an-album titled, The Harry Allen Quartet.  While the album's title may not say much in the way of concept, the music certainly does! 

From start to finish, the twelve-track CD pulsates with joyous and infectious jazz that's guaranteed to get toes tapping, fingers snapping, heads bobbing and shouts of "Oh, Yeah!" What better concept is there than that?

Joining Allen for this musical joy ride are members of his exhilarating quartet: Joe Cohn, the son of the late great tenor sax stylist/composer/arranger, Al Cohn, on guitar; Joel Forbes on bass; and Chuck Riggs on drums.

Allen's affinity for the works of Al Cohn are apparent on this CD. Three of the late, great tenor man's works  -  You 'N Me, Mr. George and The Note  -   are represented here and all are jumpers. Allen gets a work out on the latter tune, an arpeggio-based muscle builder.

The sax titan approaches the album's two pretty ballad numbers  -  It Never Entered My Mind and Autumn Nocturne  - with Stan Getz-like sensibilities, complete with mood, phrasing and tone.

The tenor saxist can also be found flying wildly all over the Rocky Mountains with Joe Cohn on Idaho, a seldom heard standard anymore. 

Allen's own work, Chuck's Lament, a pleasantly playful medium tempo blues piece, strikes a nice balance between the other tracks.

Like the album's opener from Rodgers and Hart, Allen and crew have given this undertaking Ev'rything (They've) Got... and much more. A swinging project!

Track selections:  Ev'rything I've Got, I've Heard That Song Before, The Note, It Never Entered My Mind, Paper Doll, Doodle Oodle, Chuck's Lament, Autumn Nocturne, You 'N Me, The Best Is Yet To Come, Idaho, Mr. George.

Recorded April 21-22, 2003, at Nola Studios, New York City.

- Stephen Fratallone/Jazz Connection Magazine

Rating:  *****

The Harry Allen Quartet can be ordered from Harry Allen's official website at www.harryallenjazz.com

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