Tadd Dameron was one of the most prolific and influential composer-arrangers of the bebop era. The pianist also wrote many songs that became jazz standards, including Hot House, Our Delight, Good Bait, Lady Bird, Soultrane, Mating Call, Cool Breeze, The Scene Is Clean and many others. A fascinating jazz figure, his vast catalog of fresh and modern songs and arrangements influenced many musicians, including Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Gigi Gryce and Quincy Jones, to name a few. In the 1940s, his presence seemed to be everywhere, as discographies show. He even led a spectacular tentet in 1949 known as the Big Ten. Sadly, Dameron had a short life. He suffered several heart attacks and died of cancer in 1965 at age 48. [Photo above of Tadd Dameron]
Over the years, tributes to Dameron have been many, most notably Dameronia in the 1980s led by Philly Joe Jones. Now, alto saxophonist Kent Engelhardt and trumpeter Stephen Enos, have released a double-album followup to their first Madd for Tadd Dameron tribute album The Magic Continues (2018). The two separate albums in the new set are Central Avenue Swing and Our Delight. Both feature the 15-piece Madd for Tadd big band that covers Dameron's early works and better-known pieces. The sound and feel of the new album is snappy and enrapturing.
As lyrical as Dameron's works were, they weren't easy to execute without sophistication and strong musical skills. There's also a special feel to Dameron's music. Covering his material must come off as assertive and bop savvy, but the execution also must have a certain sensuality and grace. Kent and Stephen's latest endeavor accomplish all of this. And the solos by one and all are superb.
Kent (above) is Professor and Coordinator of Jazz Studies at Youngstown State University in Ohio. Enos is founder of the Tri-C Jazz Studies Program at Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio. Together, their passion for Dameron is tireless and extraordinary. The bounty of material here gives listeners a fine sense of Dameron's orchestral excellence, with the first album featuring lesser-known works and the second showcasing Dameron's genius for modernity.
If you're unfamiliar with Dameron, Madd for Tadd's Central Avenue Swing and Our Delight are a terrific entry point. If you know Dameron's music, this double tribute is a solid updating and will likely introduce you to works you may not have known and give you a fresh reason to re-listen to the composer-arranger's recordings and original works. Once again, Kent and Stephen (above) have blown the coals hot, reviving the Dameron flame.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Madd for Tadd: Central Avenue Swing and Our Delight here..
JazzWax clips: Here's Mating Call...
Here's Our Delight...
Here's Dameron Stomp...
And here's Rock and Ride...
