sax attack

Rip It Up, Issue 53, 1 December 1981, Page 4

sax attack

The concert scene is in a depression, not through lack of tours, but lack of patronage. The jazz scene nas felt this, so the Cotton Club is being brave to bring out three top American musicians. Regardless, saxmen Sonny Stitt and Richard Cole, and pianist Jack Wilson are booked to play the Mandalay on the 22nd of this month, assisted by local stal-

warts Andy Brown and Frank Gibson Jnr. Stitt is a disciple of the bop school, his playing echoing both Charlie Parker and Lester Young. But he's no copycat, he's a contemporary of both giants, having worked with the likes of Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Fats Navarro and Lee Morgan. At 57, Stitt shows no signs of slowing down, and his recent concerts have drawn unanimous raves.

Altoist Richie Cole served his apprenticeship with Phil Woods, and draws his inspiration from Bird, Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Rollins, Jackie McLean and Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis. Cole is a graduate of the Berklee School, having been awarded a Downbeat scholarship. He's also played with Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, and the late Eddie Jefferson, Manhattan Transfer and Tom Waits.

Jack Wilson also counts Waits among his fans, has been playing professionally since the age of 15, and has worked with Roland Kirk and Nancy Wilson. A lineup of this calibre deserves support, especially if local fans want to sustain live jazz.