The friends and family of pianist Kenn Cox and tenor saxophonist Donald Walden unearthed these live performances from the Kerrytown Concert House in Ann Arbor, MI, done in the spring of 1994, some 15 years before both musicians passed away. It's an excellent recorded document by two veteran Detroit jazz masters, sounding compatible and at ease with each other without a bassist or drummer. Cox is a marvelous performer and thinker, especially sans a timekeeper -- his innate rhythmic sense is urgent while never being pushy. Walden's greatest strength is his melodic tone and strong delivery in making standards his own, or crafting an original line that never is dated or cliché. The two are clearly fond of advanced theorists like Thelonious Monk, and it shows in their interpretations of San Francisco Holiday (Worry Later) as Cox extrapolates beautifully on the intro with time tossed out, then eases into a 4/4 strut with Walden. Ask Me Now is as blue and sentimental as it gets, with Walden's tenor patiently in retort mode without being demanding. In a most diligent but not carefree or flippant manner, the pianist is able to negotiate the tricky, snake-like changes of Misterioso with Walden following in agreeable fashion. Typifying the upbeat, bright, happy, singing sound of I Hear a Rhapsody, this grand interpretation shows how much these two are in sync with their tempered notions, yet able at will to amp it up a bit. Quite the prolific composer, Cox's lone written contribution, Cuernavaca, hearkens back to a trip of his in Mexico, where the music is perfectly spiced and not overcooked, whereas the standard While My Lady Sleeps -- a staple in Cox's repertoire for decades -- is done in a modal, assured way, lovely in its construct as enhanced by Walden's expressive tenor. Two of Walden's composed efforts include perhaps his most famous piece, the tender ballad A Portrait of You, and the set closer This Goodbye Could Last a Long Long Time, again in a modal, up- to mid-tempo pace sporting a great improvisation by the horn player. There's a palpable portion of mutual respect and enjoyment in each other's gifts clearly evident, not to mention a high level of world-class musicianship these two have always applied to their personal brand of straight-ahead yet forward-thinking jazz. It's a fitting epilogue for these two true giants of the modern Motor City scene, and comes with a hearty recommendation for those who want to hear or discover its musical landscape at the absolute core. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi

1		I Hear a Rhapsody
2		Ask Me Now
3		Worry Later
4		While My Lady Sleeps
5		Cuernavaca
6		Portrait of You
7		Misterioso
8		This Goodbye Could Last a Long, Long Time

	Like us on Facebook
	@SoundHound	Follow