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

download

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.

Valery Ponomarev - Beyond The Obvious (2006)

MP3@320KBPS

TRACKLIST
1. You Dig, I Hear You, You Know What I Mean, etc.
2. Close Your Eyes
3. Party Time
4. The Blessing
5. From Cat to Nat
6. Sale on Love
7. Chelsea Bridge
8. Gina's Cooking

LINEUP
Valery Ponomarev ~ trumpet
Don Braden ~ saxophone
Martin Zenker ~ upright bass
Jerome Jennings ~ drums

download

REVIEW

Russian expatriate Valery Ponomarev has been an impressive trumpeter from the time he arrived in the U.S. after fleeing his homeland. This 2005 session pairs him with several younger musicians, including seasoned tenor saxophonist Don Braden, bassist Martin Zenker, and Juilliard student Jerome Jennings, who the leader compares favorably with veteran drummers. With Braden stuck in traffic, Ponomarev improvised a blues to warm up with the others and ended up with the peppy opener "You Dig, I Hear You, You Know What I Mean, Etc." The trumpeter makes use of the full range of his instrument in his expressive solo, also trading licks with Jennings. The blend of trumpet and tenor sax in Lee Morgan's slinky "Party Time" gives the piece a bit of an eerie flavor. His arrangement of "Chelsea Bridge" has more of a mournful air than the typical bittersweet setting of this landmark Billy Strayhorn composition. Ornette Coleman's "The Blessing" proves very accessible and features some great interplay and a bit of arco bass by Zenker. Ponomarev's Latin-tinged "Sale on Love," a barely disguised reworking of Cole Porter's "Love for Sale," is a harmonically rich extended performance. The lack of a pianist is never a problem, as the musicians filled in the missing chords in their heads as they played their hearts out throughout this rewarding studio date.