| Mr. Wizard | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 27, 2004 | |||
| Recorded | December 10, 2003 | |||
| Studio | Eastside Sound, New York, NY | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 49:27 | |||
| Label | HighNote HCD 7121 | |||
| Producer | Vincent Herring | |||
| Vincent Herring chronology | ||||
| ||||
Mr. Wizard is an album by saxophonist Vincent Herring which was recorded in 2003 and released on the HighNote label the following year. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings |  [3] |
AllMusic reviewed the album stating "Hard bop fans will want to snap up this delightful CD without hesitation". [2] JazzTimes observed "Vincent Herring’s third album for HighNote demonstrates once again the altoist/sopranoist’s prodigious skill as an improviser in the hard bop/modal tradition ... Herring possesses a virtuoso technique and an acute ear that allow him to execute long, melodically and rhythmically complex lines without missing a note or a beat. And his full, expressive tone permits him to render the slower tunes with grace and feeling". [4] All About Jazz noted "Vincent Herring has developed a foolproof prescription for making great records: employ compatible sidemen, choose appealing compositions and approach the music with zealous devotion. On Mr. Wizard the brilliant saxophonist follows this formula faultlessly and the result is another rewarding listening experience". [5]
Hard bop is a subgenre of jazz that is an extension of bebop music. Journalists and record companies began using the term in the mid-1950s to describe a new current within jazz that incorporated influences from rhythm and blues, gospel music, and blues, especially in saxophone and piano playing.
Soul jazz or funky jazz is a subgenre of jazz that incorporates strong influences from hard bop, blues, soul, gospel and rhythm and blues. Soul jazz is often characterized by organ trios featuring the Hammond organ and small combos including saxophone, brass instruments, electric guitar, bass, drums, piano, vocals and electric organ. Its origins were in the 1950s and early 1960s, with its heyday with popular audiences preceding the rise of jazz fusion in the late 1960s and 1970s. Prominent names in fusion ranged from bop pianists including Bobby Timmons and Junior Mance to a wide range of organists, saxophonists, pianists, drummers and electric guitarists including Jack McDuff, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, and Grant Green.
Eric Alexander is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator. Having placed second at the 1991 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition behind Joshua Redman and ahead of Chris Potter and Tim Warfield, he was soon signed by a record label and has since recorded over 20 albums as a leader and over 300 as a sideman.
Vincent Dwyne Herring is an American jazz saxophonist, flautist, composer, and educator. Known for his fiery and soulful playing in the bands of Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, and Nat Adderley in the earlier stages of his career, he now frequently performs around the world with his own groups and is heavily involved in jazz education.
Workout is an album by jazz tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley released on the Blue Note label in 1962. It features performances by Mobley, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, guitarist Grant Green, and drummer Philly Joe Jones. The album was identified by Scott Yanow in his Allmusic essay "Hard Bop" as one of 17 Essential Hard Bop Recordings. In October 2014, it was released in Japan on SHM-CD, featuring a previously unissued take of "Three Coins in the Fountain".
The United States of Mind is a compilation album by jazz pianist Horace Silver, released on the Blue Note label in 2004 compiling the three separate 'Phases' previously released as That Healin' Feelin' (1970), Total Response (1971) and All (1972). It features performances by Silver with Randy Brecker, George Coleman, Houston Person, Cecil Bridgewater, Harold Vick, Richie Resnicoff, Bob Cranshaw, Jimmy Lewis, Mickey Roker and Idris Muhammad, with vocals by Andy Bey, Salome Bey, Gail Nelson and Jackie Verdell.
Contours is the second album by American saxophonist Sam Rivers recorded in 1965 and released on the Blue Note label. The CD reissue contains an alternate take as a bonus track.
The In Between is an album by American jazz saxophonist Booker Ervin recorded in 1968 and released on the Blue Note label.
Seasoned Wood is an album by pianist Cedar Walton which was recorded in 2008 and released on the Highnote label.
The Promise Land is an album by pianist Cedar Walton which was recorded in 2001 and released on the Highnote label.
Keep the Spirits Singing is an album by American saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman recorded in 2000 and released on the HighNote label the following year.
The Talented Mr. Pelt is an album by trumpeter Jeremy Pelt which was recorded in 2010 and released on the HighNote label the following year.
Men of Honor is an album by trumpeter Jeremy Pelt which was recorded in 2009 and released on the HighNote label the following year.
Simple Pleasure is an album by saxophonist Vincent Herring which was recorded in 2001 and released on the HighNote label.
All Too Real is an album by saxophonist Vincent Herring which was recorded in 2002 and released on the HighNote label the following year.
Ends and Means is an album by saxophonist Vincent Herring which was recorded in 2005 and released on the Highnote label the following year.
Evidence is an album by saxophonist Vincent Herring which was recorded in 1990 and released on Orrin Keepnews' Landmark label the following year.
Friendly Fire: Live at Smoke is an album by saxophonists Eric Alexander and Vincent Herring, which was recorded in 2011 and released the following year on the HighNote label.
Night and Day is an album by saxophonist Vincent Herring, which was recorded in 2014 and released the following year on the Smoke Sessions label.
Change the World is an album by saxophonist Vincent Herring, which was recorded in 1997 and released on the MusicMasters label.
