Search - Holly Hofmann, Ray Brown, Bill Cunliffe :: The Holly Hofmann Quartet - Live at Birdland

Quartet with flute gives a fresh sound

James A. Vedda | Alexandria, VA USA | 04/13/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard Holly Hofmann when she was the featured flute soloist with the Case Western Reserve University Jazz Ensemble in Cleveland in the mid-1970s. She was a talented player back then, and obviously her talent continued to grow, as demonstrated in this 1999 Birdland date. She's joined by Bill Cunliffe on piano, Victor Lewis on drums, and special guest Ray Brown on bass.

The selections stay pretty mellow and laid back with the exception of lively renditions of "Brown Bossa" and "Bohemia After Dark." As you'd expect, Ray Brown gets plenty of room to stretch, including an opening cadenza on "Ray's Tales." My only complaint about the album is the balance between Ray's bass and the rest of the band. He's too far in the background, even for his solos. (Some listeners might want the drums to be more up-front as well.) The balance is a little better on the closing track, Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood," but that's because the entire piece is a duet between flute and bass. Of course, this is a live recording, so we can't expect studio perfection.

One of the things that really makes this album is Bill Cunliffe's piano playing. Tasteful and unassuming when he's in the background, he really steals the show when he's soloing. I think I'll check out his solo albums..."