Roy Hargrove & Mulgrew Miller: In Harmony

  There are some musicians who always bring magic into whatever situation they find themselves. Two of the brightest stars in modern jazz, Roy Hargrove & Mulgrew Miller, were like that, and both of them died too young. In Harmony finds trumpeter Hargrove in a series of duets with pianist Miller taken from concerts in New York City in 2006 and in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 2007. Both were largely impromptu affairs, creating for an audience the kind of music that more often took place in practice rooms or after-hours sessions. Bradley’s in New York had that kind of spirit, fondly remembered by anyone who hung out there, and Miller and Hargrove were regulars whenever they were in town. They were both pretty busy working musicians whose paths crossed on the road, but never long enough to record the duet album that they had thought of doing. This collection consists of familiar standards and versions of well-traveled jazz tunes, including two apiece by Dizzy Gillespie (Con Alma and Ow!) and Thelonious Monk (Monk’s Dream and Ruby, My Dear). These delightful and spontaneous recordings, filled with joyous invention and a playful spirit, were captured on stage by Hargrove’s long-time manager Larry Clothier, who co-produced this package with Zev Feldman. Along with a short essay by Ted Panken, the booklet features reminiscences from an amazing array of prominent musicians, most of whom played with Hargrove or Miller at some point. Sonny Rollins, Christian McBride, Common, Ron Carter, Jon Batiste, Karriem Riggins, Ambrose Akinmusire, Keyon Harrold, Chris Botti, Eddie Henderson, Robert Glasper, Victor Lewis, Sean Jones, Kenny Barron, and George Cables share their experiences and thoughts in a valuable collection of insightful pieces. In Harmony is a beautiful set, highly recommended. 

Resonance HCD-2060 (2xCD/2xLP); Roy Hargrove (tpt, flgh) Mulgrew Miller (p); NYC, January 15, 2006 or Easton, PA, November 9, 2007; Disc 1 (52:38): What is This Thing Called Love?/ This is Always/ I Remember Clifford/ Triste/ Invitation/ Con Alma. Disc 2 (50:51): Never Let Me Go/ Just in Time/ Fungii Mama/ Monk’s Dream/ Ruby, My Dear/ Blues for Mr. Hill/ Ow!. www.resonancerecords.org