A Family Affair - Live at Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase

At the Otter Crest Jazz Weekend, I once had the amazing experience of witnessing Sullivan alternate between brassy things and reedy things. The only other guy I can think of who plays trumpet and saxophones really well is Seattle's Jay Thomas. Many remember Sullivan from a lengthy partnership with trumpeter Red Rodney. But live at Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase in his native Chicago, Sullivan rekindles a boyhood friendship with vibist Stu Katz. To make it truly a family affair, Katz's son, Steve, sits in on bass on Billy Strayhorn's "Take the 'A' Train." With a sympathetic and swinging group of Chicago players, Sullivan plays tenor, alto and soprano as well as trumpet and flugelhorn! The two Chicagoans give us a straight ahead set with generous solo contributions on dependable fare such as "Pennies From Heaven," "Scrapple From The Apple," "Lullaby Of The Leaves" and "Stablemates." Sullivan offers a couple of originals as well, one of them titled "Gee, Matthew," Sullivan's tip of the hat to the rather obscure bebop trombonist Matthew Gee. All told, a refreshing and satisfying set from players who know how to deliver the goods.