Valery Ponomarev - A Star For You (1997)

MP3@320KBPS

TRACKLIST
1. Commandments From a Higher Authority
2. First Draft
3. Dance Intoxicant
4. Star For You, A
5. Uh Oh
6. We'll Be Together Again
7. Blue For Elena

LINEUP
Valery Ponomarev : Trumpet
Bob Berg : tenor saxophonist
Sid Simmons : piano
Ken Walker : bass
Billy Hart : drums

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AMG REVIEW:
Review by Scott Yanow
Valeri Ponomarev, one of the most underrated trumpeters in jazz, has a style based in the hard bop tradition of Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard, yet he keeps an open mind toward newer developments. On this CD, he is teamed with tenor saxophonist Bob Berg (whose soulful post-bop style has long been influenced by Michael Brecker), the little-known but talented Philadelphia-based pianist Sid Simmons, bassist Ken Walker, and drummer Billy Hart. The quintet performs six of the trumpeter's tricky yet swinging originals and a reharmonized rendition of "We'll Be Together Again." Ponomarev's very impressive range (hitting high notes with little difficulty), full sound and inventive ideas clearly inspire his sidemen. Berg puts plenty of passion into his solos, and Simmons makes one wish that he were recorded more extensively. Easily recommended to modern straight-ahead jazz collectors.