When I put
together the original notes for the 1979 Century release, Hal described
bassist Wayne Dockery as “an unsung hero. I was lucky to find him. He’s a
constant source of support and has a super feeling for the pulse.”
When Billy
Hart, the Quintet’s original drummer was unable to tour, Hal tapped Bobby
Moses who had powered the groups of Gary Burton, Larry Coryell and Mike
Gibbs. “People loved Moses,” Hal recalls. “His playing had a spirit and
joy that communicated to everyone.”
The same can
be said for the band. “Speak with a Single Voice,” for example, is a
gritty modal foray anchored by Dockery’s pedal. Although there are wide
open spaces for the soloists, there is also a palpable sense of structure
and discipline.
Hal’s
affection for the great American song tradition is evident in his choice
of “I Can’t Get Started.” “It has all the necessary elements for
improvisation, a beautiful melody, interesting changes and a flow that
works at practically any tempo.”
Galper
describes his “Waiting for Chet” as a compromise between “Speak with a
Single Voice” and “I Can’t Get Started.” “Its loose harmonic structure
allowed us to float between free form modality and a more disciplined
bebop thing.”
The classic
Miles Davis/Bill Evans “Blue and Green” is an exemplary solo outing by
Galper. “I like to play in a variety of ways. The solo format enables me
to try to integrate these. It also is another way of trying to establish
an individual identity.”
“Now Hear
This” is a modal thrust with exuberant sprints by all hands. Its energy
and invention, like that of the bonus track “Children of the Night,” are
of Olympian stature.
Today, after a
decade of lighting fires for Phil Woods during the 1980’s, the Hal Galper
Trio has established itself as one of the 1990’s premier groups. As in
1978, Galper has again connected with an enthusiastic and ever-expanding
audience.
“Playing
really doesn’t mean anything unless there are people out there. That’s why
I like fairly simple melodies that are singable. You have to think of the
psychology of the listener. Its like the tree that falls in the forest.
Someone has to be there.”
Thanks to Double Time, we are
again in the presence of one of the great bands of the 1970's, The Hal
Galper Quintet.
Dr. Chuck Berg, University of
Kansas
Jazz Times, Jazz Educators Journal; The Gramophone Jazz; CD
Guide
