It’s always a special occasion when artists visit and perform in our studios here in Newark. Every now and then jazz royalty even comes through. Organist Brian Charette brought one of those legends with him when he stopped by to promote his new album, Groovin’ With Big G.
“Big G” is saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master George Coleman. His jazz legacy was forever secured by his classic performances with Miles Davis (Seven Steps To Heaven, Four) and Herbie Hancock (Maiden Voyage). With Charette leading on the Hammond B-3, Jersey City’s Vic Juris on guitar and George Coleman, Jr. on drums, it’s a seamless quartet. The players know each other very well and play like it.
On Monday night they’ll play two sets at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York. If you can’t be there, get a copy of Groovin’ With Big G. With eight standards, including Hancock’s “Voyage,” and an original, “Father And Son,” by Charette, it’s an album that will make you smile from start to finish.
Here is a video of “Father And Son,” in the WBGO performance studio.
For more information about Brian Charette, visit his website.