VINCENT HERRING

The Uptown Shuffle

2014-04-25

Herring has the credentials to be categorized as a "compelling jazz artist" having worked with Nat Adderley, Charles Mingus, Freddie Hubbard, Horace Silver and other hard bop notables. The story goes he got to New York with acceptance to the Army Special Band but West Point was not a good fit. He began selling IBM PCs by day and busking at night which eventually allowed him to quit his day job. This is his 19th album. Relying on jazz standards for the majority of the album, Herring has included two of his own compositions: "Elation" (first appearing on American Experience in 1990) and "Don't Let It Go" (from his self-titled 1995 album) that bring his alto sax to the forefront. The title track was written by pianist Cyrus Chestnut and allows him to strut the keys while Herring follows along with focused improvisation. Reviewed by Pam VandeKerkhoff

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