By James Rozzi
Pianist and composer Andrew Hill (1931-2007) was a leader in the second wave of avant-garde jazz who never received his due. Some of Hill’s classic Blue Note albums have been reissued, but without the reflective buzz one might expect.
Recorded in 2016, veteran New York-based trumpeter, composer and arranger Ron Horton’s
A Prayer for Andrew brings renewed attention to Hill’s legacy. The richly resonating, double-LP audiophile pressing — also available in digital format — contains 13 tracks honoring the pianist. Seven cuts are Hill compositions, five of which Horton arranged while a member of Hill’s late-1990s groups that also included reedman Marty Ehrlich, likewise heard here.
For decades, Horton, the late pianist Frank Kimbrough and drummer Tim Horner had transcribed, orchestrated and performed Hill’s music with various ensembles prior to organizing this all-star sextet. Ehrlich, trading alto duties with John O’Gallagher, plus tenor saxophonist Marc Mommaas and bassist Dean Johnson round out the assemblage, creating a cohesive unit that balances thoughtfully written manuscripts with stubbornly individual improvisations.
Horton beautifully arranged the tracks on
A Prayer for Andrew with special emphasis on idiomatic horn writing. While the leader’s six compositions at times allude to Hill’s perspectives for inspiration and flavor, they generally present a more straightahead respite from Hill’s esoteric leanings. Horton’s lovely title track chorale opens the album, later followed by the flowing, countrified waltz “Home.” “Scrum” provides pure uptempo excitement; “Hill Country” is a tour de force, its walking medium groove accelerating as the tune unfolds; and “Punch” brings the funk. “Andrew-ology” emphasizes Horton’s capacity to compose in the style of Hill, including a slow ostinado bass line with melodies floating atop (slightly out of tempo), short improvisational interludes wedged between voiced-out horns, and sections of group improv — all serving to elicit emotion while propelling the tune.
The closer, a gorgeous Hill ballad titled “Bellezza” (not to be confused with his frenetic tune utilizing the same title), showcases the pianist’s penchant for beautiful melodies, one of many attributes to be savored when considering his vast legacy.
https://open.spotify.com/album/7JmmUQnilfIqAmbxip1iys?si=BuzM0ZzFQ16S-xMVJNwuFA
