The final song ever recorded by trumpet legend and jazz giant Maynard Ferguson was a duet with JEFF LASHWAY, a pianist MF claimed was “his favorite.” A heady compliment, considering the previous occupants of the piano chair: Players like Joe Zawinul, Jaki Byard, Mark Soskin, Hank Jones and many other virtuosos. Yet, Jeff had never released a solo album until Maynard inspired it, saying that the pianist “must get heard.” Jeff's lifelong friend, producer and owner of Random Act Records (www.RandomActRecords.com) Scott Elias, created the “REUNION” of a lifetime for the piano player/arranger/composer, reuniting Jeff with boyhood buddy Vinnie Colaiuta, one of the most renowned drummers in history. A rare opportunity for Vinnie to burn on straight ahead jazz, the album also features Jeff's old roommate from MF's band, tenor saxist Jeff Rupert, and Vinnie's cohort from Jeff Beck's band, singer Jimmy Hall. With a unique horn frontline of trumpet (Jim Rotondi), trombone (John Allred) and baritone sax (Frank Basile), and a fiery rhythm section, Vinnie and swinging bassist Todd Coolman, the ensemble sizzles on Lash's arrangements of tunes by Jimmy Heath (a funky “Gingerbread Boy”), Sonny Rollins (a samba treatment of “Doxy” and an Afro/Cuban “Airegin) and even a Dixieland romp to honor Jeff's 2nd home, New Orleans. A different rhythm section, drummer John Jenkins and bassist Richard Drexler, join saxist Rupert on the beautiful Quincy Jones ballad “Quintessence” and Wayne Shorter's swinging “One By One.” Rotondi's crisp horn is featured on a bossa-nova take on “The Touch Of Your Lips,” while Basile's bari solos on the original “Sweetbop.” Lashway's compositional skill is evident on the album opener, the barn-burning “Get To The Gate,” and his arranging chops shine on the vocal treatment of “Down Here On The Ground.” Jimmy Hall, a veteran bluesman and leader of Wet Willie, delivers outstanding vocals on this tune, and on the NOLA medley, belting “Bourbon St. Parade” and crooning a heartfelt “Louisiana 1927,” the Randy Newman song. Throughout, leader Jeff Lashway proves why he was favorited by Ferguson, who was correct – This talent must be heard.

Additional Details

Label: Random Act Records

Genre: Jazz

Run Time: 40 mins

Release Date: 06/10/14

UPC: 884501166867