Search - Roger Kellaway, Red Mitchell :: Alone Together

The color Red

Andrew Billek | 04/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the last twenty or so years of his life Red Mitchell recorded several duo albums with pianists - among them were Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Kenny Barron, George Cables and Roger Kellaway. The recordings are all superb. When I started to explore Red's discography I wasn't too familiar with Roger Kellaway's playing. What a loss that was for me. Judging by his contribution on this and the other duo albums he did with Red, he fits into the above fast company without question. Red is freer and looser with Kellaway than with the others, probably because they share a sense of humor that leans heavily on irony, parody and musical slapstick. Red's playing is of a high order; his ideas are unexpected, his technique thrilling and his sensitivity always there. If you're looking for chamber/jazz that you listen to with your ears and your mind, get any duo (or trio) that's colored Red."