Gratitude

Welcome back Hadley... ****1/2
Hadley Caliman's hiatus as a recording leader has been for way too long -approaching three decades. He has not been in hiding - he simply left the craziness of our few jazz Meccas and settled in Seattle, where he has kept busy playing gigs in the Emerald City jazz clubs and also serving as a senior member of the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra.

Caliman's main period of recording was in the 70s, when he released four records for Mainstream and Catalyst. During that same time period he played as a sideman for fusion and rock bands, and had a memorable solo on Santana's Caravanserai release.

Well, Hadley is back with a new release for Origin which features the great Joe Locke on vibes, and Origin trumpet artist, Tom Marriott. Locke is featured on This is Now and Marriott shines on Back for More. Comencio is Latin grooved. The full range of Caliman's tenor is found on Invitation.

Hadley is in his mid 70s and still has great tone and power. I am hopeful that this CD will get national airplay to reinvigorate his career as well as honor the talent of the sidemen on this CD, especially the brilliant Joe Locke and drummer, Joe LaBarbera, one of the last of Bill Evans' drummers.

Great to have you back on the recording scene, Hadley?..