Hornithology is the long-awaited first CD from veteran multi-saxophonist Doug Horn. Doug's prodigious technique, impeccable musicianship and energetic style shine through on this straight-ahead jazz recording. Horn's talent for improvising and composing listenable melodies takes center stage. His off-the-wall sense of humor is omnipresent.
For his debut recording, Doug Horn has assembled a quartet of fantastic jazz musicians from the greater-Ann Arbor, Michigan area.
Pianist Terry Lower swings so hard that listeners are compelled to groove uncontrollably.From Battle Creek, home of Kellogg's, he deserves the title of "Terry the Tiger". He's GRRRREAT!!!
Drummer Sean "Lightning" Dobbins is the youngest member of the group but displays remarkable maturity and taste.
Bassist Paul Keller is a rock-solid anchor and inventive soloist. Together these four jazz scholars provide definitive lessons in Homithology.
The program opens with one of seven Doug Horn original compositions, Phil In The Gap, a happy bopper dedicated to Doug's foremost musical influence, alto saxophonist Phil Woods. The lyrical poignancy of Horn's flute is featured on
For Eddie, a tune with a laid back Latin groove. Doug returns to the alto saxophone for the up-tempo swinger Puppy's Pet Peeve, composed for his black lab, Dexter.
Deb's Dream is an easy bossa whose melody goes to unexpected and wonderful places.Once Upon A Time is a thoughtful ballad with a tender solo by pianist Lower. Autumn Comes a-Callin' is a lilting jazz waltz with Doug again on flute. Samba De Playa provides boatloads of soprano saxophone humor.
Horn has chosen five standards and delivers extraordinary performances on each.
The Very Thought of You is a vehicle for Doug's warm tenor sound.The quartet really throws down on What A Difference A Day Made, done here as a samba and featuring a great solo by drummer Dobbins. I Want To Be Happy is another barnburner with a tidy arrangement by bassist Keller.
Two mellow numbers round out this album: Doug skillfully arranged Benny Carter's Only Trust Your Heart as a bossa nova, and he offers a sensitive and soulful tenor saxophone version of Oscar Levant's lovely ballad Blame It On My Youth.
For more about Hornithology and Doug's appearance schedule, visit his home page!
