JOE HENDERSON — Lush Life : The Music of Billy Strayhorn (1992+2005) Two Version | WV + FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With the release of this CD, the executives at Verve and their marketing staff proved that yes, indeed, jazz can sell. The veteran tenor Joe Henderson has had a distinctive sound and style of his own ever since he first entered the jazz major leagues yet he has spent long periods in relative obscurity before reaching his current status as a jazz superstar. As for the music on his "comeback" disc, it does deserve all of the hype. Henderson performs ten of Billy Strayhorn's most enduring compositions in a variety of settings ranging from a full quintet with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and duets with pianist Stephen Scott, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Gregory Hutchinson to an unaccompanied solo exploration of "Lush Life." This memorable outing succeeded both artistically and commercially and is highly recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Isfahan (Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn) – 5:59
Arranged By – Don Sickler
Bass – Christian McBride
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington
2. Johnny Come Lately – 6:30
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Piano – Stephen Scott
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis
3. Blood Count – 7:19
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Piano – Stephen Scott
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
4. Rain Check – 5:54
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
5. Lotus Blossom – 4:31
Piano – Stephen Scott
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
6. A Flower is a Lovesome Thing – 6:58
Arranged By – Don Sickler
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Piano – Stephen Scott
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis
7. Take the "A" Train – 7:11
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
8. Drawing Room Blues – 7:33
Arranged By – Don Sickler
Bass – Christian McBride
Piano – Stephen Scott
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
9. U.M.M.G. (Upper Manhattan Medical Group) – 5:02
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Piano – Stephen Scott
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis
10. Lush Life – 5:03
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson