Artist: Paul Dunmall & Tony Bianco
Title: Homage to John Coltrane
Cat Number: SLAMCD296
Year released: 2015
Format: CD & all digital platforms
Barcode: 5028386632320
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The authoritative collection and performance of the music of Coltrane undertaken by saxophonist Paul Dunmall and drummer Tony Bianco over a 5 year period is completed by this double CD. Appropriately the final disc displays the added energy and reality of a live performance.
Paul says “with the release of my 3rd tribute CD to Coltrane I feel my wonderful journey focusing on his music is complete. It has been a very joyful experience and given me a great sense of fulfilment and satisfaction.”
I believe this final volume, together with the duo’s two earlier discs ‘Thank You to John Coltrane’ (SLAMCD 290) and ‘Tribute to John Coltrane’ (SLAMCD 292) will be recognised as one of the most sincere and genuine opuses celebrating and documenting the Coltrane legacy.
Paul Dunmall: tenor saxophone, flute, saxello
Tony Bianco: drums
“Both Dunmall and Bianco reflect their respective influences of Coltrane and Elvin Jones but still play in their own voices…excellent tribute to Coltrane.” – Bernie Koenig
“Ever faithful to expressive and free form jazz, Slam Productions has released three new albums that are sure to create interest. Paul Dunmall brings his tenor sax, flute and saxello to a team up with drummer Tony Bianco on an exciting 2 disc set that covers almost every period of John Coltrane’s solo career. On flute he delivers a passionate “Psalm” while Bianco focuses on percussion, while on saxello he goes outside and high on the fastballing “My Favorite Things.” His tenor cries on “Ogunde/Ascent” and “Ascension,” and gets soft and fluffy on ‘Central Park West.” With Bianco on mallets, a rubato “The Drum Thing” sets a sombre tone while “Naima” is quite fiery. The first disc, done in studio, is well balanced in sound while the second disc has the tenor more right in front of your face, with visceral groans on “Alabama.” A heart on sleeve tribute.” – George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
“This final album is full of energy and passion, driving from start to finish, Tony Bianco’s liquid drumming sitting nicely along with Dunmall’s clearly defined and obdurate manifestations…This is a very fine album indeed and if you lean towards the great Coltrane, you will not be disappointed with this exciting revelation.” – Ken Cheetham, Jazz Views
“Opening with “Ascension”, which originally featured five saxes and was often considered to be too much for many of his listeners. Does it work as a duo? Hell yes! This duo does a great job of capturing that intense, vibrating spirit, spinning a web of waves together…Mr. Bianco actually reminds me of the great Rashied Ali at times, weaving a similar web.” – Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD1 7th November 2013 at Delbury Hall, Shropshire. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Chris Trent
CD2 16th July 2013, live at Cafe Oto, London. Recorded by Gus. Edited and mastered by Chris Trent