Rufus Reid, Celebration Review

by Ferell Aubre for The Jazz Word

Rufus Reid released a beautiful album featuring a string quartet and his trio, Celebration. Reid’s trio, Steve Allee on piano and Duduka Da Fonseca – on drums (2-10), and Kenneth Salters – on drums (1 & 11). is augmented by the Sirius String Quartet. The Sirius Quartet can be heard on six of the eleven selections showing Reids’ unique string writing and orchestration. Reid is especially adept at mixing classical and jazz into a melodic, elegant, and highly musical sound.

“Celebration” is an outstanding combination of Reid’s trio and the Sirius String quartet. The writing features the string quartet as well as the trio. Starting with the bass and piano figure, the composition continues to develop with musicality and beauty. Reid’s string orchestration and writing are superb.

The trio develops a hard-swinging feel for Allee’s solo, and violinist Gregor Huebner performs a fluid improvisation over the main feel.

“Tippin’” opens with a gorgeous string quartet introduction. The string quartet and trio meld as one as the theme is performed. This projects an outstanding example of how the string quartet can be incorporated into the jazz piano trio to form something unique and intimate while also being a potent expressive tool for the composer. Reid’s solo on this selection is built on his hallmark tone, note choices, and flowing swing.

Celebration is yet another excellent project by the musical and swinging bassists Reid. His string writing on this project is stunning and should be investigated by all jazz fans for its expressive possibilities. more